The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
HEAPS of second-hand or retreaded tyres on sale have become a common sight at most busy street corners across the country.
One can buy, for instance, a used size 17 tyre for as little as US$20 while a brand new one costs around US$80.
Unsurprisingly, some motorists consider second-hand products to be pocket-friendly.
However, experts opine risks involved heavily outweigh the “supposed” financial benefit.
Second-hand tyre imports continue to swell despite an existing ban.
This, however, is believed to have contributed significantly to fatal road accidents over the years.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), an average of 4 259 road traffic accidents and 172 fatalities were recorded per month in the past year.
The police noted a surge in the number of accidents caused by tyre bursts. In most cases, the tyres are second-hand.
“Negligent driving and burst tyres are the major causes of road traffic accidents across the country. It is worrying to note that most drivers ignore proper maintenance issues when it comes to their vehicles, endangering innocent lives,” said ZRP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Duped
While some have been duped into buying used tyres that are presented as new by unscrupulous dealers, others knowingly do so.
When Mr Antony Ndemera recently acquired his first vehicle, he decided to first change all the tyres as a safety measure. A friend referred him to Gazaland in Highfield, Harare, for a bargain purchase.
Mr Ndemera bought a complete set of size 14 tyres for US$60, which was less than half the price he had been charged by a reputable dealer in town.
From a glance, the tyres looked new yet they were not.
However, Mr Ndemera was to learn the hard way.
“I was convinced the tyres were brand new. They appeared like the expensive ones I had seen in town. What even made me settle for the deal was that the seller offered free fitting services. In town, they wanted US$5 per tyre,” explained Mr Ndemera.
A few weeks later, one of the tyres separated before it burst.
“It is then that I discovered the whole set was second-hand. Some of the supposed brand-new tyres had plugs, yet I had not taken them for such repairs.”
Several roadside and backyard tyre dealers have acquired equipment to illegally create fresh tread grooves on worn-out tyres.
They also have stickers, polish and foil wrapping papers that are used by reputable firms, which make their products appear new.
The more cunning ones are retreading passenger and private vehicle tyres, which is illegal in the country.
“I honestly struggle to notice the difference between a retread and a new tyre,” confessed one motorist.
Retreading is a process of renewing the tread and sidewall rubber of a tyre, making it reusable; it is a process when a tyre with a previously used carcass has new tread wrapped around it.
Ordinarily, a new car tyre begins life with between eight and nine millimetres of tread depth.
Purporting to be an interested client, this writer approached a Mbare-based tyre dealer by the name of Blonde Safalawo ostensibly to buy a new tyre (size 17,5).
“I have them in stock at US$40 each, including fitting,” said Safalawo.
Similar tyres are pegged at not less than US$276 each at National Tyre Services (NTS).
However, a closer inspection revealed Safalawo’s tyre was a retread, a fact the dealer had initially denied.
“I only retreaded it once, so it is basically new. We only consider it second-hand when it is retreaded for the second time. I buy these tyres from a bulk supplier, who imports them from South Africa. They are almost as new when they come,” explained Safalawo.
Regulation
The authorities are working around the clock to curb the influx of second-hand tyres mainly from South Africa, with several people having been arrested at the border.
However, some still manage to sneak in.
“Government is clear that second-hand tyre imports are banned. I do not have statistics offhand, but several smugglers have been nabbed and their goods seized,” said Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) head of corporate communications Mr Francis Chimanda.
Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) deputy director Mr Martin Musengezi weighed in.
“It is illegal for drivers and public transport operators to purchase or fit second-hand tyres on their vehicles. Retread tyres can only be used on haulage truck trailers. This is because trailers do not carry passengers and that they use double tyres, hence one retread is allowed per set,” Mr Musengezi, said.
He said some bus operators have been punished for flouting the law.
According to the VID official, it is also a punishable offence for any person to use or sell second-hand tyres.
“We also have a case whereby one buys a new set of tyres and then decides to give or sell their old tyres to someone; that is illegal. Private car owners are the major culprits. The fact that one has decided to replace those tyres means they are no longer safe for use, hence you should not risk more lives by giving or selling off to someone else,” he said.
NTS, which is one of the big companies involved in tyre retreading, said its operations are done according to national regulations of the industry.
“It is illegal to retread passenger vehicle tyres, hence we only deal with truck tyres. Retreading costs US$80 before additional costs, which are accumulated from faults like punctures, plugs and other things that may need to be fixed,” revealed NTS officials.
Proclassic Trading Private Limited has been in the automotive industry for close to two decades, dealing in tyres for passenger vehicles and trucks. The company’s operations director, Mr Taurai Hove, notes that the influx of used tyres has adversely affected their operations.
Most drivers, he added, are now concerned about price, instead of quality.
“Retread of passenger vehicle tyres is illegal. However, it is worrying how illegal retreaders have sprouted across communities. They are operating from backyards and other undesignated areas, using homemade equipment for tread grooving on worn-out tyres and retreading.
“They retread passenger vehicle tyres. It is sad to note that some drivers and public transport operators have become their regular customers. They prioritise money more than people’s lives. Most of the retreaded tyres burst,” said Mr Hove.
He called for punitive measures so as to protect the local industry and save lives.
Solution
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said there was urgent need for the establishment of sustainable road traffic safety programmes aimed at enlightening operators and drivers on the dangers of using used tyres.
“Operators and drivers need to be responsible and to practise safe road usage, in line with the country’s laws and regulations. They need to value the sanctity of life. As we update the regulatory framework, in line with national and international recommendations, these are some of the issues that we seek to address,” said Minister Mhona.
Traffic Safety Council Zimbabwe (TSCZ) managing director Mr Munesu Monodawafa said there is need for the authorities to work closely with stakeholders on curbing the menace.
“We need strengthened communication that will synchronise information from all relevant offices to ensure that we are able to restore sanity in the sector,” he said.
“This is a sensitive issue, second-hand tyres are not allowed, hence the need for constant checks by the authorities to see if drivers are complying. There is a gauge for tyres which we often use but I believe more needs to be done.”
Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) president Mr Fradrick Maguramhinga urged the authorities to conduct periodic updates and heavily enforce the law.
“Some of these things have been emphasised before but I feel there is a need to update the framework. There is also need for stern action against tyre vendors. The fact that they keep operating freely, in the open, means that nothing is being done to curb the menace.”
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