Harare must address road safety before banning kombis

📅 Published: August 19, 2025

📰 Source: thestandard

Curated by AllZimNews.com

While this move is appreciated, it does not come close to compensating for the loss of life and the sorrow that follows.

The pressing issue remains the need for improved road infrastructure and stricter penalties for roadworthy vehicles, particularly kombis.

The City of Harare recently introduced a master plan that proposes banning kombis and pirate taxis within three years to enhance road safety.

While this initiative aims to address safety concerns, it fails to tackle a fundamental problem, that is the state of our roads.

Many kombis operate on pothole-ridden streets, contributing to frequent accidents.

Before considering a ban, it is crucial to improve road maintenance.

Current data shows that around 50% of Harare residents rely on kombis and pirate taxis for their daily commutes.

This heavy dependence highlights the importance of improving safety within this transport sector.

Additionally, 28,5% of the population uses private vehicles, while 16,9% walk to their destinations.

This reliance on informal transport systems underscores the need for effective safety measures.

If Harare is genuinely committed to reducing accidents, it must ensure that only vehicles meeting safety standards are allowed on the roads.

In South Africa, authorities have implemented fines of up to 50 000 rand for kombis that do not meet roadworthiness requirements.