The VID-Zupco saga rages on – NewsDay

The saga between the Zimbabwe Passenger Company (Zupco) and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) continues, leaving commuters without transport after the latter seized some of the public transporter’s buses last week, NewsDay has learnt.

This comes amid reports that a Zupco bus carrying war veterans was recently seized by VID officers in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.

According to sources, VID officers seized a Zupco bus carrying war veterans from Dadaya in Zvishavane after attending the Chitepo School of Ideology.

The seized bus had a livery advertising the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Summit of Heads of State to be held next month.

“The seized bus had advertisements for the upcoming SADC summit that the government will host next month. Passengers were forced to find another means of transport after the bus was seized,” our sources added.

The loss-making public transport company has come under scrutiny amid allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement and other ills that have seen workers go months without pay.

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At one point, operations were suspended after Zupco was unable to supply fuel to buses, severely impacting service on mostly rural routes.

According to sources, the seized buses do not have license plates or any documents.

Recently, VID impounded 32 buses in Mutare and Chitungwiza, among other areas of the country.

Meanwhile, disgruntled workers have confirmed that they have received part of their wages following an investigation carried out by this publication last month.

“We have received part of our payments from ZiG until May, however, the payment in US dollars is still pending,” the workers said.

Last week, the bus company purchased 6,000 liters of diesel to serve operations on rural routes that had been left unattended due to lack of fuel availability.

Zupco is now understood to have hired a new chief executive identified only as Chigona.

“Acting CEO Linda Samunderu is now heading the operations department while the new boss (Chigona) is trying to clean up the mess made lately,” the sources said.

Zupco has been placed under Mutapa Investments with the aim of reactivating its operations.

John Mangudya, chief executive of Mutapa Investment, said the organisation was working to revive the public transport system.

“As Mutapa Investment Fund, which is a major shareholder, we will do our part to investigate once the board has done its part,” he said.