Taxis operating at Oshakati will soon be registered and officially marked as part of efforts to regulate the local taxi industry and improve public safety.
Oshakati environmental health manager Kornelius Kapolo announced the planned registration during a meeting with taxi owners and operators at Oshakati on Saturday.
Kapolo said the initiative is in line with the Road Transportation Act of 1977, the Road Transportation Regulations and the Oshakati Town Council by-laws.
He said the town council benchmarked its proposed taxi registration system on the one used by the Otjiwarongo Municipality. Kapolo added that the Oshakati municipal police is expected to be launched at the end of this month.
“Our taxi industry is currently in a sorry state. There are many loopholes because everyone with a sedan at Oshakati is operating as a taxi driver. Even vehicles registered at Walvis Bay, Windhoek and other towns are being used as taxis at Oshakati,” Kapolo said.
According to Kapolo, the proposed policy will first be presented to the Oshana police regional commander before being submitted to the Oshakati Town Council for approval.
“If council endorses the policy, then it gets implemented,” Kapolo said.
Speaking at the meeting, Fidelis Kabozu from the Oshakati Town Council said the registration system would protect legitimate local taxi operators from competition by unregistered vehicles.
He added that the absence of official markings on taxis has made it easier for criminals posing as taxi drivers to target unsuspecting passengers.
“The registration of taxis will help curb criminal activities committed by individuals posing as taxi drivers,” Kabozu said.
However, the proposal has been met with mixed reactions from taxi operators. Some have expressed support while others question the council’s motives.
