ZIMBABWE: Import of Second Hand Japanese Cars to be Banned
For Mathew Marufu, who has a disabled 10 year-old son, owning a second hand Japanese car has been an ‘answer from God’.
'My son has to travel across town to a special school for disabled children and it was a nightmare these past years to take him there. You know in Zimbabwe we have no reliable public transport and also if one uses it it's not friendly to the disabled,' Marufu said.
He bought a second hand; imported Japanese car for 3,000 dollars and it has changed his family’s life. 'So this second hand car … has helped my family in a huge way, my son can now go to school comfortably and never get to miss any lesson.'
Over the last four years the importation of cheap second hand cars from Japan has meant that cars are no longer just for the wealthy in a country where unemployment is as high as 90 percent. But the high carbon emissions and high accident rates of these used cars has led government to announce a ban on further importation. And it has caused an uproar among Zimbabweans.
Environment minister Francis Nhema told IPS the ban would target vehicles that are more than five years old and those that do not pass a set carbon emissions threshold, which his ministry is yet to agree on.
He said Zimbabwe had been turned into a dumping site for the second hand cars some of which are at least 10 years old and this had negative effects on the environment.
According to the environment ministry, Japan, which has strict carbon emissions laws, has created a massive industry in second hand car exports to poor third world countries like Zimbabwe.
'A greater number of these Japanese cars have been banned on the roads in their original country with Zimbabwe turning into their dumping site. It’s up to us to aggressively stand up against such kind of exploitation. We have a duty to save lives, protect ourselves and our environment,' said Nhema.
However, there are no official figures to support governments claims that the used cars are involved in a number of accidents. Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Andrew Phiri could not furnish IPS with statistics.
A brand new car in Zimbabwe costs between 15,000 and 50,000 dollars, depending on the type of vehicle. It is a price far beyond what the country’s majority can afford. Workers employed in the civil service earn an average of 200 dollars a month.
Second hand cars from Japan are bought at anything from 900 dollars with an extra 1,000 dollars for shipping and import duty, if one buys directly from the Asian country. Those that buy from car dealers pay 4,000 dollars or more. Thousands of Zimbabweans now own these second hand cars from Japan.
George Tigere a primary school headmaster is one of them. He bought his first car two years ago thanks to the cost of the second hand cars. He said if government bans the importation of the cars it would be tantamount to shooting itself in the foot.
'Why do they want to ban these cars when they have given us the poor a chance to own a car? Over the past nine years or so owning a car had become a privilege for the rich in Zimbabwe. But now a headmaster like me who earns an average 350 dollars monthly managed to save a whole year and got a small loan from my bank and managed to buy myself this Toyota Vitz,' he said.
He said it has made a huge difference to his life. 'Life has changed somewhat for the better because it gives me respect in society. It was very humiliating for me (to be) seen standing in queues for transport with my students.'
Official statics from the country’s Zimbabwe Inland Revenue Authority show that the country imports at least 400 second hand cars daily. The revenue authority receives on average 200,000 dollars weekly. It is much-needed revenue for a country with a floundering economy.
The need for this revenue is one reason why government has pushed the deadline on the ban on importing the cars forward by four months to October 31.
Minister of transport, communication and infrastructure development Nicholas Goche said another reason was that government needed to consult widely with stakeholders. He did not say why government had not consulted initially before announcing the first cutoff date of June 31.
'I want to advise all concerned that no one will be barred from importing vehicles which are more than five years old until the consultative process is completed,' the minister said.
An official, from the Zimbabwe Inland Revenue Authority speaking on the condition of anonymity said Toyota was the most imported brand.
He added: 'We don’t really understand why the minister of environment wants these cars banned. These cars have made so many Zimbabweans’ dream of owning a car come true, yet he always complains about the effects to the environment forgetting the positive effects these cars have brought to the nation.'
A fuel attendant at a service station along Samora Machel Avenue in Harare's central business district who identified himself as John said ever since the mass importation of the Japanese cars business has been booming for them.
'Although the many cars mean a lot more service stations being opened demands still remains high. On average we sell 5000 litres of petrol a day, since a majority of the cars use petrol. Before this during the harsh economic conditions we would sell less than a 1000 litres of fuel a day because they simply were no cars.'
For 28-year-old Catherine Jaravaza her second hand Japanese car has meant total freedom.
'Before we knew about these second hand cars I never dreamt of buying myself a car but I have managed to save for a year and bought myself one.'
© Inter Press Service (2011) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service