NATIONAL RAILWAYS of Zimbabwe plans to haul 12.05 million tonnes of goods this year, 2% down on 1999.
In an overview of its operations this year the parastatal says that 20% of its traffic to South Africa has been lost to road transport, while hyperinflation is affecting viability.
Coupled with this has been a loss of traffic to the Beitbridge-Bulawayo line, owned by a consortium of South African companies and organisations connected with the Zimbabwe government.
Revenue is expected to increase from
R 1.5 billion last year to R 2.5 billion this year, but inflation will wipe out operating profitability to about R11 million compared with about R 25 million last year.
Huge interest payments on loans will mean that losses of about R40 million are likely to be incurred.
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