Bus operator applauds Govt for lifting licence suspension

PUBLIC transporter Tashllyt Investments, commonly known as Zebra Kiss, has thanked the Government for reinstating the company’s operating licence which had been briefly suspended following a fatal bus accident at the 160km along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway recently.

Following the accident, Government suspended the operators’ licences for Rimbi Tours and Zebra Kiss. The Zebra Kiss licence was reactivated after the company put in place extra measures to ensure its drivers followed all road rules and operating procedures, and the authorities checked these out and agreed they would work. Rimbi wants to fight a court case, so its licence remains suspended until the outcome of the legal procedures are known.

The accident happened at the 160km peg after the driver of a Rimbi Tours coach was trying to overtake a Zebra Kiss bus before hitting the rear end of a tipper truck which was also travelling in the same direction along the highway. There were allegations and video recordings that the two drivers had been racing each other earlier.

The suspension meant that the operators’ buses had to be withdrawn from all the routes they were plying and only resume operations once authorities had reviewed the situation and satisfied themselves that they were fully compliant with the terms of the law.

In a statement, Zebra Kiss managing director Mr Tangisai Mapuranga said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development for its gesture to lift the suspension of our licence.

“To our loyal customers, the transport stakeholders and the entire nation at large, we assure you that precautionary measures have since been put in place.

“Unfortunate incidents that transpired in the past will never happen again,” he said.

Addressing journalists in Harare last week, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona confirmed that Government had since lifted the suspension of the Zebra Kiss licence.

“The lifting of the suspension follows the submission of comprehensive measures that have been put in place by Tashllyt 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,” he said.

The licence for Rimbi Tours, however, remains suspended as the company has decided to seek recourse in the courts.

Government is now awaiting the outcome of the court case before deciding on the next course of action.