Faith Duri
Following reports of extensive abuse of several vehicles including ambulances, Masvingo City Council has embarked on a move to tighten screws to ensure errant behavior on part of drivers is kept under check.
The move follows reports in the full council meeting held end of May 2022 of a number of vehicle abuses that saw 95 percent of municipal ambulance mileages being unrelated to patients transfer, council has come up with tight measures to ensure conformity.
In an interview with TellZim News, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said possible measures have been put in place to ensure that there are no such violations.
“We have moved the ambulances from the clinic to the fire and rescue station so that when the drivers take them, we will be able to know if its business and or work-related,” said Eng. Mukaratirwa.
Some sources that preferred anonymity at Town House claim that one of the errant drivers in the sewerage management department has been suspended because of the offenses.
“It is true some disciplinary procedures have been taken against the defaulting drivers after reports of misuse of vehicles. One driver who used to work in the sewerage management department is on suspension pending finalization of the case,” said the source.
During the meeting, the Public works committee presented that council ambulances were always on break down as a result of misuse due to employees’ personal errands.
MCC have been experiencing shortages of functional ambulances as its fleet is succumbing to breakdowns at times.
4019 violations involving council vehicles were recorded during the month of April. Among the cases of violation were over speeding, harsh breaking, harsh turning and idling.
One of the councilors, Sengerai Manyanga (ward 10) raised the issue way back in March alleging that some drivers were taking council vehicles to political party businesses and hence the need for tracking.
