Harare City Council is working on a formal regulatory framework for e-hailing services as friction persists between drivers and municipal police. Mayor Jacob Mafume says there is currently a legal gap around how platforms like InDrive operate in the capital, and the city wants operators to contribute revenue for infrastructure and services.

Legal vacuum creates conflict

E-hailing drivers have complained that they are being penalised by City Council police even though they see themselves as registered transport providers. Mafume acknowledged the gap, saying existing passenger-carrying vehicle laws have not caught up with e-hailing innovation. He said the council is consulting government and looking at best practices from neighbouring countries, including South Africa, to shape the new bylaw.

Revenue sharing on the table

The mayor said he is confident InDrive drivers have no issue sharing their earnings with the city and its residents so that infrastructure can be developed. He added that the council is considering how to treat operators already working in the market while the comprehensive policy is being drafted, possibly through a window period.

The transport department has been tasked to quickly produce a policy that engages stakeholders and ensures compliance. The proposed framework will clarify the legal status of e-hailing operators and their obligations to the city, aligning with national transport laws and regional practices.