Commuter omnibus and taxi drivers and conductors in Harare have formed an association to try and address their concerns in the wake of the “unfair” treatment they are confronted with on a daily basis. BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA
The Zimbabwe Union for Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) said it had so far registered more than 1 000 members with a view to addressing their plight in a profession they feel was currently misconstrued and belittled.
In an interview with NewsDay, ZUDAC president Fradrick Maguramhinga said they had come together to secure recognition of the profession and restore battered relations with both clients and authorities. “We have united to form this union to address problems affecting drivers and conductors which are also affecting their families. Our conditions of work are below human standards,” Maguramhinga said.
“There is need to restore good relations with the police and government as well, so that we can air our views and inculcate professionalism as responsible citizens.”
The conduct of some kombi drivers leaves a lot to be desired as many of them are often rude, arrogant and violent to passengers and fellow motorists.
Maguramhinga said ZUDAC was peaceful and wanted to engage all stakeholders.
“We are not coming to throw stones on the streets because we are not protesters, but negotiators who want to induce mindset transformation among local residents,” he said.
Maguramhinga said kombi drivers were ready to ensure that order prevails in the informal sector through the enforcement of a system which would see members wearing uniforms and signing contracts to secure the jobs of all operators.
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The development comes amid plans by the government to ban kombis which are believed to be providing employment to more than 40 000 people, mostly youths.
