Nekundi bans Intercape from offering ICC transport services

By: Selma Taapopi

Works and Transport minister, Veikko Nekundi has issued a directive barring Intercape bus operators from offering further transport services to officials taking part in the International Cricket under-19 World Cup, taking place in Windhoek.

In a statement, issued on Tuesday, Nekundi said the long-distance bus service provider was contravening the Roads Traffic and Transport Act of 1999, Section 70(3).

The section of the law prohibits cabotage operations without a valid cross-border permit issued by a competent authority.

The statement further said that a request for cabotage authorisation by Intercape had been submitted to the Roads Authority but no approval or permit was granted.

At least nine buses have been identified by the ministry and effective Tuesday each of them has been slapped with a N$4,000 fine under the said law.

Intercape has been directed to source the remainder of the ICC Under-19 World Cup transport services from any of the available Namibian registered operators.

Nekundi said failure to comply with these directives will result in escalated law enforcement action including the seizure and impoundment of vehicles.

Namibia is hosting the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, and participating teams started arriving in the country from the seventh of this month, while the tournament will run until the 26 January.