DODGING potholes and exhaust fumes, Tapiwa Mhandu navigates the bustling streets of downtown Harare, in his seemingly brandy-new pick-up truck loaded with goods for his small business.
As he weaves through the traffic, he cannot shake the nagging concern about the toxic cargo hidden beneath the vehicle’s shiny exterior.
“These cars may be a lifeline for my business, but I worry about the long-term effects on our health and environment,” Mhandu muses as his eyes stares at plumes of black smoke belching from the ageing vehicles around him.
For many Zimbabweans like Mhandu, these second-hand imports from the global north represent affordable mobility, but the hidden cost is slowly emerging as a mounting crisis.
Zimbabwe’s ports and border posts have become a graveyard for the developed world’s ageing vehicles, as hundreds of second-hand cars and trucks from Japan and the United Kingdom arrive daily.
There is no doubt that these imports offer a rare chance at affordable mobility, crucial for public transport, small businesses and personal progress in a struggling economy.
However, the shiny exteriors of these vehicles conceal a dark secret — a toxic cargo that is slowly poisoning the nation.
“These cars are like ticking time bombs,” warns Tendai Mupaso, an automotive industry expert.
“Many of them are well past their prime, with faulty emission systems and outdated technologies that pose serious health and environmental risks,” he stated during a recent presentation on the future of the automotive industry in Zimbabwe.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats), over 70% of the vehicles imported into the country are more than 10 years old, with some dating back to over two decades.
This stands in stark contrast to the global trend of vehicle age, where the average lifespan of a car in developed nations is around eight years.
“We’re essentially becoming a dumping ground for the world’s automotive waste,” Mupaso laments.
“As the global north upgrades its fleets, they’re off-loading their outdated, polluting vehicles onto us, with little regard for the consequences.”
The health implications of this influx are staggering.
Chiedza Mapfumo, a public health expert, warns that the high levels of particulate matter and toxic emissions from these ageing vehicles are contributing to a rise in respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly.
“The air quality in our cities is gradually deteriorating,” Mapfumo says.
“We’re slowly seeing an increase in asthma, lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases — all directly linked to the noxious fumes emitted by these second-hand vehicles.”
The environmental toll is equally concerning.
Tafadzwa Murimba, an environmental activist, points to the growing problem of improper disposal and the lack of infrastructure to handle the surge of end-of-life vehicles.
“Many of these cars end up at illegal dumpsites or are simply abandoned, leaching heavy metals and other pollutants into the soil and groundwater,” Murimba explained to NewsDay recently.
“It’s a ticking time bomb for our ecosystems, and the long-term consequences could be catastrophic.”
The government’s response to this crisis has been a mix of policies and regulations, often struggling to keep pace with the rapidly evolving global automotive landscape.
Kudzai Chimhangwa, a policy analyst at the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry, acknowledges the complexities involved.
“We have attempted to tighten import restrictions and enforce stricter emission standards, but the reality is that we’re competing with a thriving, largely unregulated second-hand vehicle market,” Chimhangwa says.
“The global dynamics at play make it challenging to find a sustainable solution.”
For the everyday Zimbabwean, the influx of second-hand vehicles represents a double-edged sword.
Mhandu, a small business owner, explains that his used pick-up truck has been a lifeline, enabling him to transport goods and reach new customers.
“These cars may not be perfect, but they’re all we can afford,” he says.
“Without them, I wouldn't be able to keep my business afloat and support my family.”
However, Mhandu also recognises the broader societal impact.
“I worry about the long-term effects on our health and the environment.
“We need solutions that balance our immediate needs with the future well-being of our country.”
As the global automotive industry continues to evolve, with the developed world embracing electric vehicles and tighter emission standards, the question remains: How can Zimbabwe navigate this complex challenge and protect its citizens from the toxic legacy of second-hand imports?
Experts suggest a multifaceted approach, including stricter import regulations, enhanced vehicle inspection and testing protocols, investment in automotive recycling infrastructure and public awareness campaigns.
Additionally, they call for greater international co-operation and aid to help developing nations like Zimbabwe to leapfrog to cleaner, more sustainable mobility solutions.
“This is not just a Zimbabwean problem,” Mapfumo says.
“It’s a global issue that requires a concerted, collaborative effort.
“The health and well-being of our communities depend on it.”
As the sun sets on another day in Zimbabwe’s automotive graveyard, the echoes of a mounting crisis reverberate, demanding urgent action to safeguard the nation's future.
The path forward may be challenging, but the stakes have never been higher.