City Police concerned over pirate taxis

The Windhoek City Police have expressed serious concern about the recent rise in unauthorised public transport operations within the city.

This was announced by City Police spokesperson superintendent Marcelline Murapo recently.

Murapo said police investigations have revealed that various operators are transporting passengers without proper authorisation, including shuttles to the airport and those registered through digital applications.

“The City of Windhoek, which regulates public transportation, urges all public motor vehicle owners transporting passengers for reward to obtain transportation permits and register with the Windhoek Municipal Police Service to obtain the necessary authorisation,” Murapo said.

She added that Regulation 94(1)(a) of the Municipality of Windhoek Street and Traffic Regulations, as promulgated by the Government Notice no.9 of 1993 states: “No motor vehicle shall ply for hire or reward and no person shall permit, cause, or allow any motor vehicle to be used for the purpose of plying for hire or reward within the municipal area of Windhoek, unless such motor vehicle has been duly registered by the council.”

Murapo noted that any person who, by means of any vehicle, conveys any passengers or goods or both, shall be presumed to convey such passengers or goods for hire or reward and such vehicle shall be presumed to be a public vehicle unless either case is contrary proved.

At the moment, the city has over 5 000 registered public motor vehicles (taxis) due to the ease and affordability of registration, she added.

“To register a public motor vehicle, one must have a transportation permit indicating its operational area, as per Section 31(1)(a) of the Road Transportation Act 1977. According to Regulation 284 of the Road Traffic and Transport Regulations published under the Government Notice 53 of 2001, an operator must be identified and registered if they convey passengers for reward,” she said.

Murapo said Regulation 127(1)(b) states that a driver may not convey passengers for reward unless their driving licence is endorsed with a professional authorisation.

“Once all requirements are met, vehicles undergo thorough inspections by authorised officers to determine their roadworthiness. Upon passing inspection, a registration certificate (blue paper) is issued to the operator. This certificate authorises a taxi operator to operate within the city as regulated by Regulation 94 and the cost of obtaining this document is N$60 and is renewable every six months.”

In order for drivers to avoid a N$1 000 fine or have their operations grounded, drivers and vehicle owners are urged to follow the outlined registration process, Murapo added.