Government, stakeholders call for dismissal of kombi touts in Zimbabwe

Southerton Times Staff Reporter

THE Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has raised urgent concerns over the growing harassment of Zimbabwean passengers by kombi touts, calling for comprehensive public transport reforms to restore safety, order, and commuter rights. In an official statement yesterday, the Commission warned that the harassment, extortion, and coercion of commuters by kombi touts is a clear violation of Section 35(2) of the Consumer Protection Act [Chapter 14:44], which strictly prohibits the use of physical force, intimidation, or unfair tactics against consumers.

It further indicated offenders risk severe fines or imprisonment under the Consumer Protection Act, pledging to work directly with law enforcement agencies like the ZRP and regional transport associations to restore sanity, eliminate illegal ranks, and protect commuter rights nationwide.

Speaking on the sidelines, Director for Research and Public Affairs in the Consumer Protection Commission, Mr Kudakwashe Mudereri, emphasised that both public transport operators and commuters are united in rejecting touts. He said the Commission identified passenger harassment by rank marshals and touts as a major gap in the transport sector, stressing that the lack of structured municipal systems is the root cause.

“We noted that we need to put systems that work, because it has been noted that it’s the absence of systems that is causing all those things,” said Mr Mudereri.

"Where we need to put people with uniforms in our ranks, and also where the City Council needs to do their job, because in terms of manning of these ranks, it is the responsibility of the City Councils."

He said key industry stakeholders agreed that Zimbabwe urgently needs a national public transport policy to regulate kombi operators, enforce urban traffic laws, and protect passengers.

“The passenger association said that we do not have a transport policy in Zimbabwe.

"So the starting point is to have one where some of the challenges that we are highlighting, they actually put in that policy,” he said.

The Commission resolved to lead a nationwide consumer rights awareness campaign to educate both commuters and public transport providers on legal rights and responsibilities.

In his sentiment, Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) coordinator, Mr Tafadzwa Goliati, said the kombi industry should only consist of uniformed bus loaders and licensed drivers, not unregistered touts.

“Kombi touts are reckless and they should not be allowed to serve passengers, since they have no training and belong to no recognised association.

“If they harass or intimidate passengers, no institution takes responsibility, hence the lack of a coordinated policy,” he said.

Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) president, Mr Pious Chidzenga, emphasised that kombi touts are unfit to serve passengers because they lack awareness of the fundamental pillars of road safety management.

“Kombi touts are not even aware or recognise five pillars of road safety management. "Road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safe vehicles, safe road users, and effective post-crash response," he said.

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