Tafadzwa Goliath…PAZ President
Staff Writer
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has raised alarm over reports of some public transport operators allowing passengers to travel alongside potentially dangerous goods, including gas cylinders, steel and wooden planks, warning that the practice could put lives at serious risk.
PAZ said it had received numerous complaints and reports from passengers who alleged that such items were being loaded onto buses while passengers were also on board.
According to the association, the transportation of dangerous or bulky goods in passenger compartments creates an unnecessary safety risk, particularly in the event of a collision, fire or sudden emergency.
“Passengers should not be forced to share limited space with dangerous goods such as gas cylinders, steel and planks. This practice puts innocent passengers at risk and must be stopped,” PAZ said.
The association said gas cylinders were of particular concern because of the potential consequences of leakage, fire or explosion in an enclosed passenger environment.
PAZ has previously raised concerns over the transportation of LPG cylinders on public transport. In 2023, the association warned that filled gas cylinders were highly flammable and posed a danger to passengers and the public.
PAZ said the latest complaints were also concerning because some passengers who questioned the practice were allegedly subjected to intimidation by bus crews and touts.
“When passengers raise concerns about their safety, they should be listened to rather than threatened or forced off the bus,” PAZ said.
The association urged passengers who encounter such practices to report them to the bus operator or the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“Passengers must not keep quiet when they are exposed to danger. If you witness the transportation of dangerous goods together with passengers, report the matter to the bus owners or the police,” PAZ said.
The association also called on transport operators to put passenger safety ahead of commercial considerations, saying bus crews should not compromise safety standards in an effort to maximise revenue or accommodate additional goods.
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) is a passenger advocacy organisation that focuses on the rights, safety and welfare of people who use public transport in Zimbabwe.
The association has consistently called for safer, affordable, reliable and dignified public transportation, while engaging government authorities, transport operators, law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders on passenger-related concerns. PAZ national coordinator Tafadzwa Goliati has previously said the organisation is committed to advocating for passenger rights and safety and holding transport service providers accountable.
PAZ has been active on a range of public transport issues, including road safety, vehicle roadworthiness, passenger insurance, harassment by touts, conditions at bus termini and illegal transport operations. The association has also called for stronger enforcement of transport regulations and greater accountability among operators.
The organisation has previously highlighted the problem of harassment at bus ranks, saying passengers should be able to access public transport without being bullied, manhandled or verbally abused by touts.
More recently, PAZ has continued to campaign for stronger road-safety measures, including action against overloaded and unroadworthy vehicles and operators who fail to comply with transport regulations.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development’s Road Motor Transportation Department is responsible for regulating road motor transport, including issuing operator licences for passenger and goods transport and overseeing route authorities and related permits.
PAZ said the latest complaints should serve as a reminder that passenger safety must remain the priority whenever public transport is being used.
“Passengers have a right to travel in safety and dignity. No commercial consideration should take precedence over human life,” the association said.