News / National
Mnangagwa's govt steps in to stop blitz on e-hailing platforms
1 hr ago |
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The government has moved to protect digital taxi services from crackdowns by local authorities, accusing city councils of undermining job creation by targeting e-hailing operators.
The intervention follows a controversial blitz by the City of Harare targeting e-hailing platforms such as InDrive and Tap 'n Go.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has acknowledged that there is currently no specific legislation governing e-hailing services, creating a legal gap that has attracted criticism from legal experts and operators.
Speaking in Parliament, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said Cabinet had directed his ministry to address the regulatory challenges surrounding digital taxi services.
Among the issues being considered is the formal registration of e-hailing platforms to ensure that operators comply with government requirements and that the State is able to collect revenue from the growing sector.
Mhona said the government was also working on a statutory instrument that would provide a legal framework for e-hailing services and protect digital taxi operators from arbitrary enforcement by local authorities.
The move is expected to provide greater certainty for platforms and drivers while establishing clear rules governing their operations.
Government's intervention comes as e-hailing services have become an increasingly important source of employment and income, particularly in urban areas where thousands of drivers rely on digital platforms to connect with passengers.
The proposed regulations are also expected to clarify the respective responsibilities of central government, local authorities, e-hailing companies and drivers.
The Harare blitz had raised concerns among operators and drivers who argued that they were being targeted despite the absence of a clear legal framework specifically regulating the sector.
The planned statutory instrument could therefore bring an end to the regulatory uncertainty while allowing the government to formally recognise and regulate an industry that has rapidly expanded in Zimbabwe's major cities.
The intervention follows a controversial blitz by the City of Harare targeting e-hailing platforms such as InDrive and Tap 'n Go.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has acknowledged that there is currently no specific legislation governing e-hailing services, creating a legal gap that has attracted criticism from legal experts and operators.
Speaking in Parliament, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said Cabinet had directed his ministry to address the regulatory challenges surrounding digital taxi services.
Among the issues being considered is the formal registration of e-hailing platforms to ensure that operators comply with government requirements and that the State is able to collect revenue from the growing sector.
The move is expected to provide greater certainty for platforms and drivers while establishing clear rules governing their operations.
Government's intervention comes as e-hailing services have become an increasingly important source of employment and income, particularly in urban areas where thousands of drivers rely on digital platforms to connect with passengers.
The proposed regulations are also expected to clarify the respective responsibilities of central government, local authorities, e-hailing companies and drivers.
The Harare blitz had raised concerns among operators and drivers who argued that they were being targeted despite the absence of a clear legal framework specifically regulating the sector.
The planned statutory instrument could therefore bring an end to the regulatory uncertainty while allowing the government to formally recognise and regulate an industry that has rapidly expanded in Zimbabwe's major cities.
Source - ZiFM Stereo
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