Source: Harare Mayor Says InDrive Operators Must Share Revenue With Council ⋆ Pindula News
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has said the City of Harare is drafting a policy that will allow the council to collect revenue from e-hailing drivers.
This follows reports that the Council has intensified its crackdown on e-hailing services such as InDrive and Bolt.
Speaking to journalists, Mafume acknowledged that there has been a legal lacuna in how e-hailing services are handled in Harare and across Zimbabwe, with the law yet to catch up with the innovation.
“What is clear is that there has been a legal lacuna in terms of how e-hailing services are handled in Harare, and in Zimbabwe. Our law has not caught up with the innovation that comes with the e-hailing services,” said Mafume.
“And therefore, we have laws that are supposed to be a must for passenger-carrying vehicles. And basically, InDrive is a passenger-carrying vehicle and passenger operator. And other traditional taxis, traditional buses, and traditional kombis have been complying. And they have pointed out the inconsistency in terms of application of the law, as they relate to passengers and operating such businesses.”
Mafume said council recognises the role the sector is playing in the economy.
“We do understand that it is an innovation that is bringing relief to families, that is putting food on the table, that is increasing employment, in terms of those that are being employed in the city, and in the country,” he said.
He said the city will work with Government to regularise the sector, taking into account best international practices.
“It is up to us, together with consultations with Government, on how we regularise e-hailing services, taking into account best international practices, what our neighbours have done in South Africa, and other countries, who have recently come up with a policy framework and regulatory framework on how e-hailing services operate,” he said.
In the interim, Mafume said council is engaging its parent ministry on how to treat those currently operating, including whether to give them a window period while a regulatory framework is being developed.
“We have tasked our transport department to come up quickly with a policy that will consult with the relevant stakeholders, and make sure that there is compliance with the law, and that this service not only contributes to employment, but also contributes to the maintenance of the infrastructure that they have to use, and the maintenance of revenues to the city,” he said.
“I’m sure InDrive operators have no issues sharing their revenue with the city and the citizens of the city, so that the infrastructure can be put in place.”
Mafume said council will make an announcement shortly once consultations are concluded, including what will be done in the interim.
He defended the current enforcement, saying municipal police had been applying the law as it stands.
“What has been happening and what is being applied has been the law as it currently stands, vis-a-vis the innovation that has come with e-hailing services,” he said.
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