Mukhwathi Phumudzo chairperson of African United Boarders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA)
The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks has warned Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Mike Masiapato to refrain from recognising bus operator Rimbi Tours as a legitimate company without verification from the Cross Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA).
“The CBRTA is the custodian of the Cross Border Operations Act of 1988 and it must be allowed to charge and revoke the license of Rimbi Tours bus company for violating crossborder permit conditions,” said AUBBTA Chairperson Mukhwathi Phumudzo in an exclusive interview with Tshwane Talks on Wednesday.
“We suspect that Rimbi Tours bus company belongs to illegal operators who are protected by some government officials and law-enforcement agencies,” lamented Phumudzo.
“We warn Masiapato about this ticking time bomb as it undermines our state security and this Rimbi Tours bus has already been intercepted thrice now under the leadership of former Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and fined R400 000 for violating crossborder rules and regulations,” he said.
“BMA Commissioner Masiapato must apologise to South Africans for recognising Rimbi Tours buses as a legitimate crossborder bus operator,” said Phumudzo.
He said in many cases Zimbabwean government officials issue fraudulent operating permits to illegal bus operators without destination point and referral letters.
He suggested that some law-enforcement officials including heads of CBRTA, RTI, Bus Managers stakeholders, the CFO and profiling unit must be held accountable and be fired after investigations.
“We suspect that even the bus company whose vehicle was involved in an accident that killed 43 passengers, and injured five of them as it was overloaded hasn’t had any action taken against it for its illegal conduct,” stressed Phumudzo.
According to Phumudzo, illegal operations by buses must be regarded as acts of terrorism.
“These illegal bus operations tarnish the image of the country; collapse the Road Accident Fund which has to make payments to accident victims and also deplete healthcare facilities which get overburdened by admitting those injured during accidents caused by these illegal operators,” said Phumudzo.
He said they want answers from Masiapato for confirming the operating permit of Rimbi Tours bus company and that he must also answer as to how passengers found inland had crossed Beitbridge into South Africa.
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