Push for a revived ZUPCO with small buses

At the busy junction of Rezende Street and Robert Mugabe Road in Harare, a commuter omnibus suddenly swerves onto the pavement and speeds eastward.

Pedestrians scatter in panic while street vendors abandon their wares to avoid being hit. The conductor hangs halfway out of the sliding door, shouting for passengers as the kombi races through a red light.

Scenes like these have become disturbingly common across the capital's central business district, where commuter omnibus crews frequently mount pavements, run red lights and pick up passengers at undesignated points with little regard for safety.

Along First Street, kombis have even been seen chasing each other and evading authorities by driving along pedestrian walkways.

While some drivers are arrested, repeated violations suggest many continue to operate with little fear of accountability.

For Josiah Tambudzai, such incidents revive painful memories.

Several years ago, his father was struck by a commuter omnibus while walking on a pavement.

"The kombi dragged him several metres along the pavement and he lost an eye," Tambudzai said.

"The culprit was never apprehended. As a builder, my father could no longer work and was forced to retire to our rural home in Njanja."

According to Tambudzai, the driver had been fleeing police after violating traffic regulations.

The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) says reckless driving remains one of the leading causes of road crashes, particularly in urban areas.

Experts warn that such behaviour puts passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists at risk.

The dangers are worsened by counterfeit vehicle parts such as fake brake pads, worn tyres and speeding vehicles — factors frequently cited in fatal crashes.

Critics say the persistent violations by kombi crews and mushikashika (illegal taxi) operators raise questions about the effectiveness of current enforcement measures.

National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said authorities are intensifying efforts to restore order on the roads.

"There are a lot of things we can do. Anyone who wants to get into the transport business should comply with the country's rules and regulations," said Nyathi.

"Those drivers on First Street were captured on camera. We followed them up and ensured the law was enforced to the letter."

Nyathi added that Zimbabwe is moving towards an electronic traffic management system designed to make enforcement faster, more accurate and less prone to corruption.

The Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors spokesperson Reason Dombo Ajida urged authorities to adopt modern monitoring systems rather than relying solely on high-speed chases.

"We need to move away from the mushikashika style of enforcement and implement systems that monitor dangerous behaviour in real time," Ajida said.

He also called for proper regulation of commuter associations to prevent illegal syndicates from dominating the sector.

Some drivers say the system unfairly penalises those operating legally.

"I have all the paperwork required to operate legally," said driver Wonderful Vhunye.

"But illegal operators can pick up passengers anywhere and work all day without consequences, while registered kombis get impounded even for minor issues."

Conductors also cite operational challenges. Tonderai Chandavengerwa said some routes lack designated bus stops, forcing crews to drop passengers along roadsides.

Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators secretary-general Ngoni Katsvairo said systemic reforms are urgently needed.

"We have about 16 000 kombis in the city, but only 5 500 are registered," Katsvairo said.

"There are around 1 000 buses, but only about 100 are compliant. Pirate taxis dominate the streets, leading to dangerous chases with police."

Katsvairo suggested the use of holding bays such as the Coventry Road Holding Bay, which can accommodate hundreds of kombis and reduce illegal street operations.

Katsvairo and other experts also support strengthening the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) with smaller buses and minibuses to provide reliable public transport and reduce reliance on illegal operators.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona recently said the country is adopting an Integrated Transport Management Information System to modernise vehicle registration, licensing and inspections.

The system will include AI-powered cameras, solar-powered traffic lights, cashless ticketing and GPS tracking to improve monitoring and safety.

At the United Nations Inland Transport Committee meeting in Geneva, road safety expert Luciana Iorio praised Zimbabwe's commitment to improving road safety but emphasised the importance of adopting technology and data-driven enforcement.

Zimbabwe records more than 1 500 road fatalities each year, with urban crashes accounting for over 40 percent of deaths.

Experts warn that unless authorities implement a combination of technology, stronger regulation, better infrastructure and reliable public transport, the chaos on Harare's roads will continue to claim lives.

For families like Tambudzai's, the consequences of reckless driving are already devastating — and preventable.