The countdown to a sweeping ban on commuter omnibuses, commonly known as kombis, from Harare’s roads has officially begun. According to a draft master plan spanning 2025 to 2045, the government intends to phase out this long-standing mode of public transport within three years. While authorities insist the move aims to modernise transport infrastructure and reduce congestion in the capital, critics are raising concerns that the plan may primarily enrich politically connected business cartels linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies, often referred to as Zvigananda.
The draft plan outlines two pivotal policies: Policy 109, which mandates the complete removal of commuter omnibuses from city roads within 36 months, and Policy 110, which institutes an immediate ban on all unauthorised pirate taxi operations. The government says these measures are part of a broader vision to shift Harare toward high-capacity, efficient transport systems. Buses, trams, and rail are central to this new approach, alongside projects estimated to cost US$693.6 million. Planned improvements include smart traffic management systems, light rail networks, expanded feeder roads, additional bus stops, and upgraded pavements.
Despite these assurances, skepticism is widespread among commuters and urban transport analysts. Many question whether the plan genuinely prioritises public service or whether it is structured to benefit a select group of elites with political connections. Critics point to precedents set during the COVID-19 pandemic, when kombis were temporarily banned and the parastatal Zupco was granted a monopoly on public transport. The state-run company struggled to meet demand, and reports later revealed that many of the buses Zupco deployed were privately owned by businessmen with close ties to ruling party figures.
“There is a strong suspicion that the current plan will repeat the same pattern,” said a commuter rights activist who requested anonymity. “Politically connected players — Zvigananda — will likely be handed lucrative contracts to supply buses and control routes, while thousands of small-scale kombi operators are driven out of business.”
Countdown Begins for Kombi Ban in Harare Amid Controversy Over Political Influence and Transport Modernisation
For ordinary Harare residents, the potential consequences are tangible and worrying. A recent snap survey by The Sunday Mail Society found that while some commuters support the ban because of reckless driving and safety concerns, the majority fear that it could worsen shortages of affordable transport. Taurai Choto, a resident of Budiriro, warned: “A ban without sufficient buses would be a recipe for disaster. People rely on kombis for daily commuting, and removing them too quickly could paralyse the city.”
Kombi operators, whose livelihoods depend on the sector, have sounded the alarm about the human and economic cost of the proposed policy. Ngoni Katsvairo, secretary-general of the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators, highlighted that Harare is home to more than 16,000 kombis, each employing at least four people. “That’s 384,000 families directly affected,” he said. Katsvairo also noted the downstream impact on industries connected to the sector, including mechanics, tyre dealers, fuel suppliers, vendors, and rank marshals, all of whom would face significant financial strain if the ban is implemented hastily.
Beyond the immediate economic fallout, there are concerns about equitable access to transport. While motorists frustrated by daily traffic congestion have welcomed the proposed ban, civil society organisations caution that the government’s plan could leave low-income residents stranded unless it is accompanied by transparent planning, fair procurement processes, and adequate deployment of new transport infrastructure.
Some urban planners acknowledge that modernising Harare’s transport system is necessary, but they stress the importance of balancing efficiency with social impact. “Transforming city transport is a laudable goal, but it cannot come at the expense of thousands of livelihoods,” said a Harare-based transport consultant. “Any transition must be gradual, well-funded, and inclusive to prevent creating monopolies that serve a few while disadvantaging the majority.”
The government, however, appears determined to press ahead. Officials argue that the kombi sector has long been associated with unsafe driving practices, traffic congestion, and irregular operations. By shifting toward buses, trams, and rail, authorities say they aim to improve road safety, enhance commuter comfort, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Yet, with political and economic stakes so high, the rollout will be closely scrutinised by the public, industry stakeholders, and civil society groups eager to ensure that modernization does not become a euphemism for cronyism.
As Harare braces for the gradual removal of kombis from its streets, the debate underscores a broader tension in Zimbabwean urban governance: the challenge of modernising infrastructure while maintaining transparency, equity, and social stability. For now, residents, operators, and commuters alike are watching closely, aware that the success or failure of the plan will shape the city’s transport landscape for decades to come.
Source- ZimEye
