The City of Harare is moving to close a legal gap in the regulation of e-hailing transport services, with Mayor Jacob Mafume saying drivers should be willing to contribute part of their earnings to the municipality.
Speaking as the council contemplates a formal bylaw for services such as Indrive, Mafume acknowledged that current laws have not kept pace with technology-driven transport models. He said the local authority is consulting with national government and studying practices in neighbouring countries to shape a fair framework.
The mayor noted there has been a legal vacuum in how e-hailing services are handled in Harare and Zimbabwe, and argued that a structured revenue-sharing arrangement would enable the city to maintain and develop infrastructure used by all motorists.
E-hailing drivers have repeatedly complained of harassment by municipal police, insisting they operate legitimately as registered transport providers. Mafume said the council will determine how to treat existing operators while a comprehensive regulatory policy is being drafted, possibly granting a transition window.
The transport department has been tasked with fast-tracking a policy that involves stakeholders and aligns with existing passenger transport laws.
