Passengers blame ZUPCO for transport woes
Nkosikhona Dibiti
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has taken a swipe at ZUPCO for failing to pay workers and poor service delivery.
Speaking to Community Podium, PAZ President Tafadzwa Goliath highlighted the high frequency of strikes by ZUPCO kombi drivers due to outstanding payment of salaries.
Goliath took umbrage at the state-run company’s penchant for not paying its workforce-the goose that lays the golden egg, despite making huge profits on the strength of its monopoly.
“What worries us the most as Passengers Association of Zimbabwe is that the company, owing to its monopoly, is raking in a lot of money but incredibly failing to pay those same workers who bring in the money. This is an indictment on ZUPCO in that private kombis which are not wanted by authorities never went on strike,” said Goliath.
He also expressed empathy and solidarity with the workers who have downed their tools saying they have a “…good cause to strike as they are meeting their daily targets without remuneration.”
A Bulawayo resident, who identified herself as Ms Noma said the ZUPCO monopoly has failed residents and must be abolished. “Today, we waited for over an hour for transport and reported late for work as has become the norm since ZUPCO monopoly kicked in. Turning up for work late everyday does not help matters given that working hours, production hours have already been reduced since businesses are required to close at 3:30pm,” she added.
A private kombi owner who owns Asambeni Tours said as private players they will continue to lobby the government to allow them to operate.
“We will continue to push the government to open up for us. We see buses that used to ply the rural routes now carrying passengers in the city. Are these buses even fit for the road?” quizzed the Asambeni Tours owner.
Efforts to get a comment from ZUPCO Southern Region Manager, Tinaye Rwasoka were fruitless.
The strike by ZUPCO drivers has caused chaos as queues are getting out of hand in the Central Business District. Some private kombis have cashed in on commuters’ desperation to get home and are charging $1 per trip.
