Taxi drivers in the capital held a peaceful demonstration earlier today, during which they submitted a petition to Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, expressing concerns over the operations of unregulated e-hailing services in Namibia.
In response, Minister Nekundi assured the protesting drivers that their grievances were being taken seriously. He acted promptly by engaging relevant stakeholders and initiating meetings to address the regulatory concerns raised in the petition.
As part of the government’s response, Nekundi has issued a firm directive to e-hailing service providers such as Yango, LEFA, and others operating within Namibia. He announced that all companies offering app-based public transport services must obtain the necessary public passenger transport permits by the end of September.
Currently, many of these operators are using private vehicles in combination with mobile apps to provide transportation services, bypassing the regulatory requirements set by the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Speaking after receiving the petition, Nekundi emphasized the need to uphold transport sector laws and ensure a level playing field for all operators.
“The use of private vehicles for public transport services without proper permits is a serious concern. We are committed to regulating this sector to protect both traditional taxi operators and commuters,” he said.
The Ministry’s move is expected to bring greater accountability and compliance within the rapidly growing e-hailing industry, which has seen increased popularity in recent years.
