Lloyd Mbiba
ROGUE mechanics are removing exhaust catalyst converters from Far East junk vehicles imported by Zimbabweans, worsening exhaust gases emission and exacerbating climate change.
A month-long investigation by this publication unearthed that there is a syndicate in Harare and Bulawayo that specialises on the removal of exhaust catalysts.
Catalyst converters are located on the manifold, where the exhaust and a vehicle’s engine meet.
Mechanics, draw from the catalysts a white powder which is then peddled in the streets, as a recreational drug like cocaine.
The substance is known as Tick and a small satchel goes for 80 Rand in Bulawayo.
Targeted vehicles include inter alia, Honda Fit old shape, Nissan Tilda and Nissan Note.
Answering to an advert this reporter posed as a Honda Fit owner who was ready to sell the catalyst converter. This reporter was directed to RMS garage, along 13th avenue in Bulawayo.
The mechanic, one Benjamin, was cooperative until he realised that there was no Honda Fit nor a catalyst converter.
Initially, the syndicate had promised to pay US$200 for a kilogramme of the powder and promised to foot hotel and food bills.
Climate change experts said the exhaust catalysts removal is worsening climate change.
Said climate change expert Alfred Tshuma: “Honestly speaking, catalytic converters have not been analysed in the country. Those things are meant to convert dangerous gases and maintain the climate. The assumption with a lot of people that those things don’t work in countries like Zimbabwe shows that people do not understand their role.
“Government should come in and stop these guys from selling catalytic converters in the black market. Catalyst converters are a danger to the environment as long as they have been removed from vehicle exhausts where they are supposed to perform a clean-up. They act like kidneys in our body, where they clean dangerous emissions. Environmentally, where a car has been removed of the catalyst emits dangerous gases. With time we are talking of ozone layer depletion and we need vigilant minds and look into it. Most guys looking for money don’t know what it is used for.”
Lawrence Mashungu, a climate change mitigation expert, said countries in the Far East sell cheaply vehicles that would have failed emission tests.
“You find out that cars sold to Zimbabwe and other developing countries from Japan is that they would have failed emission cap test, so, already we are getting cars that are above maximum emission targets in those countries,” said Mashungu.
“Now, catalyst, inserted in the engine has some precious metals and those metals are taken for sake in Zimbabwe. So they are making business out of it. What happens is that we take your car for repair sometimes many people don’t know the use of catalyst and what mechanics do, they remove them and many people do not know. As a climate expert, I say we need to up our standards. It is bad that we are importing most of our cars that are used and most of them come to the country having failed emission targets in those countries.
“It is not good. Going forward we must put maximum efforts in terms of emission caps so that we reduce natural emissions and meet our national contribution target as a country. We must conform to our obligations under the United Nations framework on climate change.”
Romeo Matshazi, executive director at Active Youth Zimbabwe, opined that Tick contains Nicotine and other dangerous chemicals that are a danger to youths.
While, Thando Gwinji, director at Youth Innovative Trust, said in October this year that youths abused drugs to escape from the sad reality facing them due to the poor and underperforming economy.
“Drug abuse is mostly associated with depression and mental health. Most young people lost their jobs during lockdown. Even though most were unemployed but prior to the lockdown they could do piece jobs and now that they are no longer there it depresses a lot of people,” said Gwinji.
“In every corner in townships people are selling cheap spirits like Star Can and there are too many shebeens. The effects are detrimental on young people and youths now work to satisfy their addiction and this is a terrible cycle. Drug abuse has also led to unwanted pregnancies, STIs and HIV infections,” she added.
Donovan Tshuma, a medical doctor, warned that drug abuse may lead to death.
“In large dose, codeine depresses the area of the brain responsible for breathing and this unfortunately leads to episodes of overdoses and in some cases, death from asphyxiation,” said Tshuma.
Mechanic, Ishmael Ngwenya, said the removal of the catalyst converters is leading to the pollution of the air.
“The catalysts are there for a reason and to remove them obviously it has a negative effect. It is a lie that the catalysts have no use,” said Ngwenya.
