Government cracks whip on Rimbi and Zebra Kiss

Government cracks whip on Rimbi and Zebra Kiss

 

Pretty Manyewe

 

Government has suspended operating licenses held by Rimbi Travel and Tours and Zebrakiss, following the recent road traffic accident which remains on everyone’s lips.

 

A video has been circulating on social media showing the circumstances that led to the accident which occurred on January 17, 2023, in Mutoko District along the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway.

 

The video and circumstances of the accident, which have been verified, involve two passenger transport service vehicles of an omnibus type (commonly referred to as buses) belonging to Rimbi Travel and Tours (Pvt) Ltd and Tashllyt Investments (Pvt) Ltd trading as Zebra Kiss.

 

The accident claimed one life and caused serious injuries to many passengers.

 

Authorities involved in the transport and infrastructural development sector today convened and discussed circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.

 

In a press statement released after the meeting by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona, it was found that the accident was a product of human error.

 

“Sections 51, 52, and 53 of the Road Traffic Act prohibit driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for others, negligent or dangerous driving and reckless driving respectively, which violation is a breach of the terms and conditions of the two operators’ licenses issued for them to operate in Zimbabwe. Informed by the foregoing violations and verified videographic circumstances, the Commissioner of Road Transport, after informing the two operators of his intention, and after the operators were given a reasonable opportunity to make representations on the matter in terms of Section 17 (2) of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15], invoked provisions of Section 17 (1)(b) (i) of the same Act and suspended the licences of Rimbi Travel and Tours and Tashllyt Investments Trading as Zebra Kiss from operating all its omnibuses in all the routes as authorized by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development,” said Minister Mhona.

 

This suspension is with immediate effect, pending corrective measures by the two operators to ensure that they are in a position to resume operations without breach of the terms and conditions under which their licenses are issued.

 

“Section 17 (1) (b) (i) of the Road Motor Transportation Act empowers the Commissioner of Road Transport to suspend the operator’s license where it appears that there is disregard of the terms and conditions of the licenses.

 

I have directed that this provision be implemented dutifully, consistently, and religiously going forward, with the view to weed out all errant operators from our roads. In view of the incessant road fatalities being recorded on our roads, I have taken a bold stance to reduce road carnage as the Minister responsible for administering laws and regulations on road traffic and safety management.

 

This is in line with the targets contained in the National Development Strategy (NDS) 1 (2021-2025) which seeks to reduce road accidents and fatalities by a 25% margin per annum. Going forward, we shall build on this momentum of strict enforcement of road motor transportation and safety for the safety and well-being of the people.”