HARARE – Persistent heavy rainfall has plunged Harare’s public transport into chaos, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded and facing steep, unregulated fare increases on key routes across the capital.
Days of intense downpour have flooded major roads and key transit hubs, severely disrupting traffic flow. Many commuter omnibuses, locally known as kombis, have been forced to scale back operations due to the hazardous driving conditions.
At the bustling Market Square terminus, lengthy queues formed as desperate passengers endured hours-long waits for scarce transport. Commuters traveling to high-density suburbs such as Glen View, Budiriro, and Waterfalls reported fare hikes from the standard US$1 to as high as US$1.50.
Transport operators attribute the increases to poor road conditions and significantly longer journey times.
“This rain is making everything worse. We wait for a long time and still end up paying more,” said Tatenda Moyo, a commuter stranded at Market Square.
Passenger advocates argue the crisis has laid bare systemic failures in the city’s transport framework. Tafadzwa Goliathi, President of the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ), noted that short-distance routes lack officially approved fare tables from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
“Some operators routinely ignore existing fare guidelines, particularly during the rainy season, leaving commuters with little choice but to pay higher prices,” Goliathi added.
Ruben Akili, Director of the Harare Residents Association, criticized the absence of a municipal transport system, which he said forces residents to rely on informal operators during such disruptions.
“In a normal situation, the local authority should provide public transport, with commuter omnibuses playing a secondary, supportive role. Unfortunately, Harare does not have a council-run public transport system, even though this is provided for under the Urban Councils Act,” Akili stated.
He further highlighted regulatory gaps, noting,
“There are no clear provisions allowing the council to regulate kombi pricing. That responsibility lies with central government.”
With more heavy rain forecast, residents are calling for urgent intervention from both local and central authorities to repair damaged infrastructure, enforce fare regulations, and invest in a reliable, sustainable public transport network.
For now, flooded streets, unregulated pricing, and the lack of mass transit mean thousands of Harare commuters remain vulnerable to the elements and exploitative practices.
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