The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THERE is an outcry from the commuting public as errant kombi transport operators plying urban routes in the province are rejecting the Zimbabwe dollar and charging their fares exclusively in the United States of America dollars.
The get-rich-quick scheme is allegedly being masterminded by kombi crews, who do not remit the excess money to the kombi operators.
Their untoward behaviour is despite the fact that the local currency notes remain legal tender until April 30, when the new gold-backed currency — the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) notes and coins, launched two weeks ago, come into circulation.
As a result, commuters are being forced to pair themselves before boarding the kombis, failure of which they will be charged a dollar for a route that should cost US$0,50 cents.
This has affected daily commuters.
Those who stay in suburbs within the vicinity of Mutare’s Central Business District like Sakubva, Chikanga, Yeovil and Westlea are now walking into town.
Miss Chido Chafanza, of Chikanga said the kombi crews are ripping them off, and must be arrested for defying a Government directive.
“They are doing it for self-enrichment, and do not declare the extra money made this way to the kombi operators. Imagine if the kombi crew has 18 passengers who do not know each other, and hence cannot be paired, and charge each a dollar each, they will get US$18 per trip instead of the usual US$9. They will pocket the US$9 and declare the balance to the kombi operator,” she said.
Mr Marcnon Dzimbanete, of Sakubva said at this rate, one will be forced to fork out US$60 per month in transport fares instead of the usual $30.
“This is just unfair. How can they be allowed to charge a US$1 for a trip to Sakubva, which is only a stone’s throw away from the CBD? This is daylight robbery and the police should intervene and clip their wings. They are creating a crisis to fatten their pockets. They should be arrested,” he said.
Commuters bitterly complained that the kombi crews have become so rude to the extent of barring their usual clients from boarding their vehicles if they have ZWL notes.
Commuters are also chucked out of the kombis for demanding their change.
Mr Khulumani Moyo, of Yeovil said he had since stopped boarding kombis as a result.
“Why should I be coerced to pay a dollar for a two-minute trip and endure such insults and humiliation from the kombi crews. How can I be asked to pair with someone I do not know? How will I get my change under such an arrangement? Something needs to be done because commuters will be penniless before the new ZiG notes come into circulation,” he said.
This reporter was subjected to the harsh treatment during investigations after asking for change.
“Look, I told you before you got into this kombi that I do not have change.
“Yes, I have loads of ZWL notes, but I will not give them to you because I don’t want. Even if you refuse to give me the dollar per person kombi fare we will dump you in Weirmouth, and see who would have won,” said a conductor plying the Chikanga via Magamba route.
Commuter operators interviewed this week confirmed charging a dollar per person, claiming that they could not keep up with the ZWL rates.
“It is difficult to peg our fares in local currency because we were asked to surrender the ZWL notes to the bank. We cannot risk keeping the notes and have to explain why we have huge wards of the notes at the banks as instructed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe,” argued one operator.
Another driver, who only identified himself as Goddy said the ZWL remains unstable even though it was being phased out.
“The truth is we cannot continue accepting the ZWL because the rate keeps going up. When it was phased out, our 50 cents was equal to ZWL$2 500.
It doubled to ZWL$5 000 and we stopped accepting them,” he said.
A fortnight ago, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) introduced ZiG as part of a series of policy measures aimed at addressing exchange rate fluctuations, combating inflation, and restoring macroeconomic stability within the country.
RBZ Governor, Dr John Mushayavanhu said the new ZiG will be introduced alongside a variety of other currencies, and gave the public a 21-day window to exchange the old currency for the new one.
He said the Zimbabwe dollar will continue to be accepted as legal tender for all domestic transactions until April 30, after which ZiG notes and coins will be put into circulation.
During the transitional period, lasting 21 days, the Central Bank will conduct an extensive educational campaign to familiarise the public with the structure and security features of the new currency before its official release.
