HARARE – Government has lifted its suspension on Zebra Kiss’s operating licence but maintained the freeze on Rimbi Tours after the bus company chose to take the legal route in a bid to reverse the ban.
Mhona imposed the punitive measure last week after two of the companies’ bus crews were filmed racing each other along the Harare-Nyamapanda road in what later caused a road traffic accident involving the Rimbi Tours bus and a tipper.
The accident claimed the life of the bus conductor while leaving several passengers injured.
In a statement Thursday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the decision to lift suspension on Zebra Kiss’s operating licence came after the passenger transporter had assured his office of measures put in place to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development wishes to advise the public that it has lifted the suspension of the licence for operation of all omnibuses belonging to Tashllyt Investments trading as Zebra Kiss.
“The lifting of the suspension follows the submission of comprehensive measures that have been put in place by Tashillyt Investments to avert such incidents in future.
“After a meticulous consideration of the submission, the Ministry is satisfied that the measures that have been mainstreamed by the Operator are adequate to checkmate recurrence of operational behaviours which can be interpreted as violations of terms and conditions of the licence.
“The Ministry will continue to enforce and monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of all operators’ licences including measures against reckless and negligent driving,” Mhona said.
Earlier in the day, Mhona told journalists at a traffic safety indaba held in Harare that Rimbi buses have chosen the confrontational route to resolving the dispute.
“We have Rimbi Bus operator who decided to go to the courts over the suspension of its licence,” said the minister.
“They have chosen that route but they will come back to us because we are the ones who issue out operation licences and route permits.
“We are not threatening anyone but it’s what it is; they have the right to go the courts.”
