BULAWAYO - Government has announced its intentions to review the Highway Code and raise the minimum age requirement for public transport drivers from the current 25 to 35 years to curb road accidents.
The Daily News reporter Letwin Nyambayo took to TM Hyper terminus in Bulawayo to glean public opinion on the move.
Macdonald Majaya, 29, kombi driver
“I started driving when I was 19 and I think at 35, a person will be too old to start operating a kombi thus cannot survive on it because at that age they would have settled down and have to take care of their family.
“Most kombi drivers quit at the age of 35 and look for better jobs or even start their own businesses. Driving a kombi is nothing but a stepping stone for many youths, so they should be granted the opportunity.”
Prosper Jiyane, 25, kombi driver
“The age limit is not fair, what will we do if we lose our jobs? Most of the people who drive kombis are between 20 and 35 years and if they are barred what’s next?”
Robert Ndebele, 26
“I have been driving kombis since I was 18 and I have realised that it is not necessarily age that makes a good driver. The causes of accidents are mainly due to poor regulations, poor enforcement of regulations and corruption by traffic police. I therefore think the current age limit which is 25 is okay.”
Shadreck Maphosa, 54
“The age limit is too high. What will happen to our youths given the fact that there are no employment opportunities available?
Most of the drivers take up this job after they finish school at the age of 17. The Zimbabwe situation is difficult.”
Douglas Mahlekete, 25
“I smell corruption. First, it was the banning of the kombis now it’s the age limit. I think the government just wants us to use their buses which will benefit them alone but this is sad because youths will not benefit anything.”
Edwin Dube, 25
“The age limit is not fair for us because this is the only industry we have been working in. The only qualification most of us drivers have is a driver’s licence. If we are barred from driving kombis at an early age, most of us will start stealing to make a living and there is bound to be an increase of crime in the country.”
Simbarashe Mbiza, 21, kombi driver
“We will continue to drive the kombis either way. Police are the only ones that have the power to stop us but fortunately in Zimbabwe it is all about bribing corrupt cops.
“We cannot survive in this country without jobs. Zanu PF promised youths 2 million jobs in the next five years through their Zim-Asset manifesto but according to economists, this has only proven to be a fallacy and an unachievable goal.