MINISTERS are set to yield to public outrage over plans to ban the importation of second-hand vehicles older than five years by increasing the year limit.

The ban, set to kick in on July 1, had been criticised as an “attack on Zimbabwe’s middleclass” by local car dealerships who warned car ownership would become a preserve for the super rich.

But now ministers are seeking to mollify the public by stretching the age limit of vehicles beyond the originally-proposed five years.

Partson Mbiriri, the Secretary for Transport, said Monday that Transport Minister Nicholas Goche would make a statement next week outlining the proposed changes to the policy.

"We are considering reviewing the age limit of imported second-hand vehicles, but we are yet to finalise the specific age limit,” Mbiriri said.

Officials insist that the June 30 deadline still stands, with the ban taking effect on July 1. Also outlawed would be the importation or manufacturing within Zimbabwe of left-hand vehicles.

It remains to be seen whether the adjustments to the policy will curb public anger over a move which many say will imperil local second-hand car dealerships, shipping companies and put the dream of owning a car beyond the reach of less well-to-do Zimbabweans.

But ministers insist the measures are necessary to combat pollution and stop unroadworthy vehicles from ending up on Zimbabwe’s roads.

Officials say the imminent ban has seen a spike in cars arriving at the Beitbridge border, the gateway to South African ports, with some 250 cars being cleared daily since the start of the month, up from the previous average of 100 vehicles per day.

Most car imports into Zimbabwe are from Japan, which has strict carbon emissions laws which have created a massive industry in second-hand car exports, mainly to third world countries.