Harare sets 3 year deadline for kombi ban – The Zimbabwe Mail

📅 Published: August 26, 2025

📰 Source: thezimbabwemail

Curated by AllZimNews.com

City planner Brian Zvomuya said the reliance on kombis — described as a “para-transport system” — was unsustainable. “Kombis have become the main transport system, while buses are supporting them.

It is not working; there is congestion, traffic accidents… everything is not working well.

We must transition to high-capacity vehicles,” he said.

Motorists welcomed the move, citing reckless behaviour by kombi crews. “They think they can rewrite road rules.

They must be banned,” said motorist Tendai Gavaza.

Others, like commuter Taurai Choto of Budiriro, warned of chaos without enough buses: “A ban without sufficient buses would be a recipe for disaster. ”
Registered operators argued the ban would devastate livelihoods.

Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators secretary-general Ngoni Katsvairo warned that over 16,000 kombis employ four people each, supporting more than 380,000 dependants.

He also noted their contribution to fuel sales and related industries.

Meanwhile, unregistered operators complained of prohibitive licensing costs exceeding US$1,000, forcing many into illegal operations. “Operating illegally is easier than complying,” one operator admitted.

Police confirmed ongoing blitzes against pirate taxis and touting, while council officials acknowledged manpower shortages in enforcement.

Calls have been made for surveillance systems and stiffer fines to rein in non-compliant operators.

The controversy echoes the failed Covid-19 era ban, when Zupco struggled to absorb demand.