Opposition MDC Alliance has denounced the recent toll fee increase by Government saying the move is anti-poor and cannot match current wages.
The Government, last week announced new toll fees which will see light motor vehicles paying ZWL $120 up from ZWL$45 whilst haulage trucks will fork out ZWL$590 up from ZWL$225.
In a statement, National Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Settlement Chikwinya said the increase has pushed the daily return fees for those who daily use toll gates and are within the proximity.
“The MDC Alliance condemns the 166% toll fee increase that has seen toll fees go up from $45 to $120 for small passenger vehicles and from $70 to $240 for passenger buses. The increase has also pushed up ‘daily return fees’ for those who live in the vicinity of a toll gate and pass a toll gate daily to get to work to as much as $3000 per month.
“This exponential toll fee increase is anti-poor and is not commensurate with the wages that workers are receiving. Civil servants’ salaries have only gone up by a meagre 41%. It goes without saying that all goods and services have a transport cost imbedded in their cost structure. Therefore, an increase in transport costs will have a domino effect on the price of the goods and services.” said Chikwinya
He said the increase is unjustified given that government departments are exempted from paying toll fees and it comes hardly after another increment in July.
“The resultant effect is a further increase to the already unaffordable cost of living. The hardship occasioned by the toll fee increases is compounded by the fact that all government departments including the Military, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Zimbabwe Prison Services, the Central Intelligence Organization, the Judiciary, Parliament, Traditional Chiefs and Zanu PF vehicles are exempt from paying toll fees.
“This means that institutions and people who develop and enforce policies that have a direct impact on the cost of living for the general populace exempt themselves from the harsh effects of such policies. We are of the firm view that this toll fee increase is unjustified as motorists were subjected to another 350% increment in July 2020.” he said.
He added “The Minister of Finance continuously asserts that Government has “stabilised the exchange rate” and that inflation will decrease to a projected rate of 134% by the end of the year. However, this is not borne out by the unending price hikes in respect of goods and services, including the latest increase in toll fees.”
Chikwinya called on the Minister of Finance to make use of budget presentations and review the increase to align the fees with what is prevailing on the ground.
“The MDC Alliance therefore calls on the Minister of Finance to use the 2021 Budget Presentation to review the toll fee increase and align road user fees to the prevailing cost of living anchored on the affordability of such basic services by the lowest paid civil servant. Only a holistic resolution to the fundamental socio-political and economic issues affecting our country can sustainably address the evident inflationary environment that is adversely affecting the common person.” said Chikwinya.
