Passengers group warns against ‘sanitising’ mshika-shika as Ziyambi says there is no transport crisis

Passengers group warns against ‘sanitising’ mshika-shika as Ziyambi says there is no transport crisis
For all the News from Mashonaland Central, Join One of Our Groups: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KPKHV62YLF92BvfqmgemLT

The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has criticised remarks by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi after he told Parliament that Zimbabwe does not have a transport crisis, arguing that the comments risk normalising illegal transport operations.

In a statement published on Sunday, PAZ said Ziyambi’s comments downplayed commuter challenges, particularly in major cities. The minister reportedly said illegal pirate taxis, commonly known as mshika-shika, were “doing well to service commuters” in Harare and Bulawayo.

“By stating that illegal pirate taxis, commonly known as mshika-shika, are ‘doing well to service commuters’ in Harare and Bulawayo, the Minister risks sanitizing operations that operate outside the law, evade tax, and endanger passengers daily,” PAZ said.

The association said Zimbabwe faced a serious shortage of safe and reliable public transport, particularly in urban areas, and that gaps in regulated services had allowed unregistered operators to flourish.

PAZ said commuters continued to report incidents including robbery, assault and unsafe driving involving illegal operators, adding that poor accountability could contribute to road accidents and loss of life.

To Advertise Inbox Us: https://wa.me/263719679800

“We urge the Ministry of Justice and all relevant authorities to address the root cause: the shortage of safe, affordable, and regulated public transport,” PAZ said, adding that dismissing the crisis undermined the experiences of commuters who could not afford private transport.

Ziyambi made the comments while responding to lawmakers during a National Assembly question-and-answer session last week on measures government is taking to deal with challenges in the public transport sector.

He said the transport sector had been liberalised and that private operators should progressively meet commuter demand. “Currently, I do not believe that we have a very significant crisis in terms of transportation in the country,” Ziyambi said.

Transport challenges are a recurring issue in towns and growth points in Mashonaland Central, where commuters often rely on informal transport due to limited scheduled services. The PAZ statement adds to ongoing calls for regulated, affordable commuter options and stronger enforcement against unsafe and illegal operations.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel for all the News from Mashonaland Central – Bindura, Mbire, Guruve, Mount Darwin, Rushinga, Shamva, Mazowe & Muzarabani: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacMUmW5fM5a666kb33A