Chamisa Slams ZUPCO Public Transport Monopoly

By Lloyd Takawira

MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has slammed Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) monopoly over the public transport sector which he said has resulted in unemployment.

Chamisa took to Twitter demanding that government lift its ban on private transport operators.

He added that monopolising the sector is illegal as it exclude other players in the business.

“COMMAND TRANSPORT MUST END! The illegal ZUPCO monopoly has left many jobless and brought suffering leaving many stranded or in overcrowded rickety buses and resorting to insecure open trucks,” he wrote.

The firebrand opposition leader added that the public spend hours in queues and are then packed like sardines in few ZUPCO buses, exposing them to the deadly coronavirus.

“ZUPCO is potentially a COVID-19 super spreader but ‘Chefs’ in 4×4 don’t care. #BringbackKombis”

Early last year, when covid-19 pandemic hit hard , government imposed a blanket ban on private transport operators allowing only buses and Kombis under ZUPCO to operate.

To date government has mantained the ban. However passengers have complained over the transport woes.

Speaking to Bustop TV News, Passengers Association of Zimbabwe, national coordinator Tafadzwa Goliati said the move had negatively affected passengers.

“ Passangers are in a quandary. The transportation problems created by the complete ban on Kombi operators giving monopoly to ZUPCO and force operators who want to remain afloat to operate under the ZUPCO flagship will likely increase the risk of us to the Covid-19 pandemic. If you can see how people are now being packed like sacks in these Zupco buses ,” he said.

Goliath further said that as passangers they live in fear of contracting Covid-19.

“We as passengers live in fear of contracting the corona virus. Commuters are being forced to board open trucks with no social distancing at the cost of their own health.”

Meanwhile, health experts have warned of an impending third wave of Covid-19.

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Bustop TV News