FACING a public backlash over plans to ban second-hand vehicle imports, the government was in retreat this week as it was announced the policy had been pushed back a further six months.
The government had set in motion a plan which would see the importation of vehicles older than five years banned starting on December 1 this year. Ministers said the policy was aimed at curbing pollution as well as stopping Zimbabwe from being a dump for unroadworthy vehicles.
But the plans were sharply criticised by car dealerships, shipping companies, ordinary Zimbabweans with dreams of owning cars and tax officials who felt the government had not properly consulted.
Partson Mbiriri, the permanent secretary in the Transport Ministry, announced on Monday that the regulations would now become effective in July next year “to give the motoring public reasonable time to relate to the Statutory Instrument”.
But opponents of the policy will claim a partial victory.
Tax officials have already warned that the cash-strapped government could be shooting itself in the foot, pointing out that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority was clearing at least 400 imported vehicles daily – the cars paying up to twice their value in duty.
As part of the reforms, ministers have also announced plans to stop left-hand drive vehicles from coming into the country as well as enforcing new requirements for heavy vehicles to be fitted with fire extinguishers.