NRZ in dramatic U-turn
The National Railways of Zimbabwe has backtracked on its decision to suspend commuter train services, just one day after announcing suspension of commuter services.
The parastatal had cited another parastatal, by Zimbabwe United Passenger Company’s (ZUPCO) non-payment for services rendered by the former as the reason for suspension of services.
In a statement issued on the 26th of November 2022, Public Affairs and Stakeholders Relations Manager Andrew Kunambura said, “The National Railways of Zimbabwe would like to advise the commuting public of a temporary suspension of the commuter train service with effect from Monday 28th of November 2022.
The suspension occasioned by an unsustainable environment from huge debt owed to NRZ by Zupco. NRZ was therefore left with no option but to suspend commuter train on the 28th due to capacity challenges,” said Kunambura.
Barely a day later, Kunambura issued another statement withdrawing the previous statement.
“NRZ hereby withdraws the press statement issued this Saturday 26 November 2022 on the above subject. The commuting public will be updated if there are any new developments” he said.
“NRZ’s climb down could suggest an intervention from a higher authority. They may have received an order to reverse the decision to save face and avert further embarassment for ZUPCO. When these parastatals fight, it is us who suffer,” said a Bulawayo passenger who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In September 2021, ZUPCO partnered NRZ to ease commuters’ transport blues in urban areas where commuter omnibuses had been banned as a stop-gap Covid-19 control measure.
