The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has suspended the operating licence for all omnibuses belonging to Blessing Matimbe following a fatal road crash that killed three people and seriously injured 10 others last month.
Transport Minister Felix Mhona announced the suspension on Tuesday, saying investigations into the 1 June crash at the junction of Willowvale Road and Nyandoro Road had uncovered multiple breaches of road traffic and safety regulations.
He said the omnibus involved, registration number AGL0921, was operating without a valid Certificate of Fitness, in breach of Section 7(1)(b)(iv) of the Road Motor Transportation Act. It also did not have a valid Route Permit, contravening Section 12 of the same Act.
“Assessment also indicates that the driver of the omnibus was not compliant with the regulatory requirements prescribed under the Road Traffic Act and Statutory Instrument 168 of 2006,” Mhona said in a statement.
The Commissioner of Road Motor Transportation has suspended, with immediate effect, all omnibuses owned by Matimbe on routes authorised by the Ministry. The suspension will remain in place until the operator institutes “corrective compliance measures” in line with the law.
Mhona said the violations amounted to a “serious breach” of the terms and conditions of Matimbe’s operating licence. He warned that the safety of the commuting public “should not be compromised”.
“Operators who disregard licence conditions, statutory obligations, and safety requirements will face suspension or cancellation of their licences,” he said.
The Minister urged law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and ensure full compliance with traffic laws to protect road users.
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