Taxi drivers in Katima Mulilo have bemoaned a high number of unregistered taxis in the town.
They say unregistered taxis are benefiting more than them from the recent two-dollar increase in taxi fare, as they do not pay set road transport charges.
The drivers said the number of unregistered taxis surpasses those that are registered. As a result, they say, it has been hard to enforce the two-dollar increment on customers because the unregistered taxis still board customers for less.
They added that in order to register their taxis, they have to go for roadworthiness, which often costs them hefty amounts to fix their cars, yet when they come on the road, they are competing with unregistered taxis.
Another concern raised was limited taxi ranks that can only accommodate a handful of taxis.
"We are concerned with taxis that are not registered; there are a lot. And with an increment of N$2, you will find that customers will take a long time before they can start paying it because you find that the unregistered taxis are the ones taking customers without the full amount. If you refuse, the unregistered taxi will come and take the customer with only N$10.00. So we are not seeing the job that the town council and the traffic department are doing about this problem."
"The challenge we are faced with in our business is illegal taxis. When we tell our town council and the police traffic department so they can help us, they turn against us with registered taxis. At this point we do not know if it is wise to still complain. We are appealing for the government to feel pity for us because we also want to make a living; that's why we are registering our cars. Others should also go through the steps we have taken."
"In the Zambezi region we do not have proper taxi ranks; this is one of them and the one across the road. However, we can't use it because if you go there, you will see that the interlocks that were there are removed and it's just holes in between. So our car cannot park well. The other taxi rank is there; it is known, but that's where they now sell Kapana. When you find that the person has put their braai stand there, if you tell them that you want to park your car there, they will just tell you that that's where they are operating. All these things the town council knows; however, there is no action taken from them."
The drivers also added that there is a need for taxi ranks in locations because they are forced to drop off customers at their homes at the same fee of fifteen dollars.
While drivers driving long distances have allegedly been informed to write letters before they can increase their fees.
"I am surprised that the local taxis have been allowed to increase the taxi fare, but we drivers going to Ngoma and Bukalo are told we are not allowed to change it, but when we go to the filling station, all of us have the same amount of petrol."