Tanzania minister orders review of Mbeya transport routes

Bajaji drivers and vendors in Mbeya, Tanzania, returned to work on October 23 after a four-day protest that disrupted transport and trade. The stoppage ended following a directive from Prof Riziki Shemdoe, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, ordering a 14-day review of bajaji and daladala routes and access to a planned market. The review will involve drivers, traders, the Mbeya City Council, LATRA, and the Regional Commissioner’s Office.

The dispute began on October 12 when Mbeya Regional Commissioner Jumanne Sagini ordered the City Council to allocate formal spaces for traders and bajaji operators within seven days. The council planned to direct bajaji outside the TANZAM highway and relocate 1,715 traders to Old Airport, Kabwe, and Mwanjelwa. Enforcement on October 19 led to drivers being forced to clear areas and vendors having goods seized, prompting the joint protest.

Erica Mlembe, a vendor at Kabwe, stated on October 19 that her goods were seized and she had no place to work, impacting her ability to pay school fees. The conflict also affected daladala services, with bajaji drivers attacking them with stones from October 19, leading to increased transport fees and people walking on October 20. The 14-day review is the latest documented outcome as of October 23.

Why it mattersBajaji drivers and vendors in Mbeya are directly affected by the dispute over transport routes and market access, impacting their livelihoods and ability to earn income.

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