Commuters have sued Zimbabwe’s public transport utility, the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) for failing to adequately provide public transport during the lockdown.
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) and Combined Harare Residents Association(CHRA), representing the commuters, said ZUPCO has put them at greater risk of contracting coronavirus as they are being forced to spend hours in queues and the buses are not properly disinfected.
The Lawyer representing the passengers, Advocate Choice Damiso told ZTN that ZUPCO has not been able to avail adequate buses to cater for the commuting public. She said:
There is pressure for buses and pressure in terms of getting onto the bus. Commuters spend a lot of time in queues waiting for infrequent buses. When the buses do come there is no consistency with social distancing and buses are not being disinfected.
The applicants are seeking that the court allows more operators of public transport to assist ZUPCO in providing transport for members of the public.
The State’s argument was that the limitations that were imposed are necessary in the interests of public health and safety.
Meanwhile, High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi has reserved his judgement. The judgment will be handed down in open court on the 26th of August.