Rimbi Tours sues govt as Zebra Kiss operation licence suspension lifted

Government has lifted the suspension of the operators’ licences of buses belonging to Zebra Kiss, one of the owners of two buses which had been recently been suspended following a fatal bus accident that happened at the 160km along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway.

Following the accident that claimed 1 person and injured many, the government then suspended the operators’ licences for Rimbi Tours and Zebra Kiss.

The other bus, Rimbi Tours remains suspended amid concerns by the line Ministry that the operator is failing to engage with the authorities and comply.

In an interview, Transport Minister Felix Mhona said, instead of sitting down with the Ministry, Rimbi Tours decided to approach the courts challenging suspension.

“They (Rimbi Tours) decided to approach the administrative courts and it is within their rights. But the question is, this was only a suspension we did not revoke the licence. The issues were very clear. It was a matter of compliance, checking and realigning.

“The assumption with the Ministry was that the operator would sit and reason together with the Ministry,” the Minister said.

Addressing journalists on the side-lines of the Road Safety Indaba in Harare Mhona, announced that they had lifted the suspension of Zebra Kiss.

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development wishes to advise the public that it has lifted the suspension of the licence for operation of all omnibuses belonging to Tashllyt Investments trading as Zebra Kiss.

“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.