Zimbabweans rubbish govt’s policy on importation of second hand vehicles
Zimbabwe recently issued Statutory Instrument (SI) 89 of 2021 which among other things states that the importation of second-hand vehicles aged 10 years and above would require an Import Licence from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
There are mixed reactions to the new policy with some suggesting that it is unjust while some say it is being misunderstood. We present below some of the reactions posted on social media.
Tinashe M suggested that the SI was an indication of the government’s cruelty. Tinashe said:
This is a 2010 vehicle. For whatever twisted reason, GoZ has decided to ban its importation. Citizens using free funds paying USD taxes cannot do so anymore. The ministers who sign this into law, get their brand new cars courtesy of the taxpayer.The firm found that the average age of cars and trucks in operation in the U.S. has risen to 11.9” It turns out in America as the case in the world the average car on the road is more than 10 years old.Cabinet, by stroke of pen, has revealed its incapacity to think & govern. Its immeasurable cruelty in impeding human aspirations. Perhaps Minister Nzenza, must visit the city centre at 8pm to realize, especially so for a woman, why a car is a necessity & NOT a luxury!
Philip Kudzayi said while vehicles that are ten years old are being banned, the roads are not being serviced. Kudzayi Tweeted:
Funny. Roads that haven’t been serviced in 40 years demanding that vehicles be “at most 10 years old”.
Owen mtombeni @gegane57 suggested that the vehicles in question are regarded as very expensive for the middle-class in developed countries. Mtombeni said:
Been doing a random survey where I live in Unit K. The cars in question are very expensive for the middle class. Wonder where Mthuli pegs the classes in Zim. Unit K middle class can not match up
Meanwhile, Wellington@wnyamutowa said the cars were not being banned adding that it might a government ploy to mobilise revenue. He said:
The cars have not been banned as you allege. But you now require an import permit to import a 10 year old car. I think this is a gvt initiative to raise funds through import permits
One Betterzim @Betterzim1 concurred with Wellington that the SI did not ban the importation of vehicles that are ten years old. Tweeted Betterzim:
its not a ban, Correct 
. Its however not true that gov intends to raise funds thru import permit fees. Import licence at the moment the last time I checked 2 weeks back is ZWL150. The restriction is meant to support the motor Industry. Its meant to promote the buy local, however, as it is in Zim there is no Motor industry to protect. zthe gov itself is on the front importing buses instead of buying local. Motor industry is down because of these imports despite having the capacity. This is the challenge “policy Reversal”
It emanates from corruption. Someone affiliated to @zanupf_patriots is buying those buses outside the country at inflated prices. @nickmangwana is very much aware. those are the pple who asslicks munangagwa kuitura immunity. Instead of creating jobs they are exporting.
Others dismissed the view that the SI was meant to protect the local motor industry saying that industry is long dead.
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