Makamba : taxi drivers on strike against untimely police fines

Drivers of so-called probox transport vehicles have been on strike since Monday. They are protesting against untimely fines imposed on them. They are either accused of improper loading or exceeding the official ticket price. Several residents are forced to postpone their trips, others are absent from work. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Misunderstandings between transporters using probox transport vehicles in Makamba province (southern Burundi) and road controllers have led to a strike movement since the morning of February 3.

According to contacted drivers, they are working at a loss due to the lack of fuel at petrol stations in this province, a situation that has worsened over the last two months.

“To provide a minimum service,” they explain, “we are forced to go and get our supplies in Tanzania where a liter of gasoline costs nearly 10,000 Burundi francs following the devaluation of the Burundian currency.” A liter of gasoline officially costs 4,000 francs.

They say that in this case they are forced to resort to increasing the price of the transport ticket – which pushes the traffic police to “impose heavy fines on us ranging from 500,000 to 700,000 francs.” “Corruption charges have also become commonplace.” In addition to fines, drivers can pay up to 200,000 francs in bribes.

Civil servants affected

Several civil servants who work far from centers where they live did not show up for duty on Monday and Tuesday.

Civil servants who were able to reach the service say that they took motorcycles but there too, the price of the transport ticket has tripled.

Drivers, however, persist and sign that they will resume work after distribution of fuel at local petrol stations.

Public transport agencies in Makamba are also on strike for the same reasons.