FOUR commuter drivers have been arrested after they were intercepted by police in Lupane illegally carrying passengers without exemption to operate during the Covid-19 lockdown.

This comes as the ZUPCO buses that have been authorised by goverment to ferry passengers during the Covid-19 era are failing to cope with the high demand for transport.

Nyasha Arnold Chinyoka (28) of Mkhosana Victoria Falls, Jasper Mpofu (37) of Pumula East, Usher Mpofu (25) of Luveve and Xolisani Ndlovu (25) of Old Lobengula, all in Bulawayo were arrested separately between July 8 and last week Tuesday carrying people along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road.

Chinyoka was driving a kombi from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls with seven passengers while Mpofu was driving a Mercedes Benz Sprinter from Jotsholo to Kenmaur with seven passengers.

Ndlovu was driving a Toyota Granvia from Bulawayo to Cross Dete with eight passengers on board while Usher was driving a kombi with nine passengers from Bulawayo to Lupane.

They were all not authorised to carry people between cities as they were not essential service providers.

Each was charged with contravening Section 4(2) of the Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, cited as the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations 2020, that is to say venturing into inter-city transport services during national lockdown while not exempted.

Chinyoka, Mpofu, Ndlovu and Usher pleaded guilty to the charge when they separately appeared before Lupane Resident magistrate Mr Ndumo Masuku who fined each of them $3 000 or six months in jail in default of payment.

In addition, the magistrate slapped each of them with six months in jail which was wholly suspended for five years on condition that they do not commit similar offences.

The magistrate said they committed a serious crime as they exposed members of the public to high risks of contracting Covid-19 by carrying them without following due procedures to ensure social distancing as espoused by the law.

Prosecuting, Mr Derrick Ndlovu said none of the four was authorised to operate.

There can be no doubt about it, despite their obstinacy the government’s transport strategy is not working.

Ever since the lockdown was eased, ZUPCO buses and kombis have had the urban transport monopoly as the government refuses to allow private transport operators back on the road. This has resulted in scores of people being forced to wake up early in the morning and to line up late in the evening as they wait for transport.

It’s not even clear why the government is not allowing private players to resume operations. The initial reason given was that private players would not be able to ensure the safety of passengers. Nowadays ZUPCO buses and kombis are often crowded.

In any case, the government could bring back kombis under a strict safety regime. Currently a lot of passengers are now being forced to rely on rogue transport operators who don’t bother to follow safety protocols.