Vandals delay 63% of NRZ trains

Martin Rushmere
THE NATIONAL Railways of Zimbabwe says vandalism and theft of equipment is costing
the parastatal R10 million. Says PR spokesman Gamaliel Rungani: "Last year vandalism was responsible for 22,5% of train delays. On average, between Harare and Dabuka (the country's main marshalling yards, at the junction of the line from Harare to Beit Bridge) two trains a day are having to be cancelled as a result.
In January and February this year there were 219 major cases of theft and vandalism throughout the country, which were the cause of 63% of train delays.
Some transport industry observers say the NRZ is using theft as a convenient excuse for its deficiencies. "Loss of skilled personnel, political interference and lack of maintenance are also behind the alarming deterioration in performance," said a shipping manager. "Theft is just one of the causes."