By Tendai Chisiri
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has called for urgent regulation of hailing taxi services in Zimbabwe, warning that the current informal transport system poses a threat to national security.
PAZ National Coordinator Tafadzwa Goliati stated that the lack of oversight has led to increased incidents of robbery, murder, and rape involving taxi-hailing services.
Goliati emphasized that taxi-hailing service drivers must undergo thorough vetting, including police clearance, to prevent criminals from exploiting the system. “Robbers are taking advantage of the system, even posing as passengers in the evening with malicious intentions,” he said.
The association also highlighted that both drivers and passengers are vulnerable to robbery and lack protection, noting that vehicles often do not have passenger insurance to cover deaths resulting from accidents.
PAZ urged the Ministry of Transport & Infrastructural Development to make a bold decision to regulate hailing taxi services urgently. “The informal transport system is a threat to national security because the majority of our people rely on public transport. There must be a policy to ensure that passengers and drivers are protected,” Goliati added.
The call comes amid recent incidents, such as the disappearance of Brian Nandana, who went missing after an early morning inDrive trip. His car was found near the Warren D conceal mountains with blood and a knife at the scene, and investigations are ongoing.
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