DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has moved swiftly to halt a drivers’ strike that brought long-distance bus services in parts of the country to a standstill, suspending the driving licence points system and ordering authorities to address the grievances at the centre of the dispute.
Minister for Home Affairs Patrobas Katambi announced the measures yesterday after meeting the striking drivers at Magufuli Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam, saying the government’s immediate priority was to restore transport services while working with ministries, institutions, drivers’ associations and other stakeholders on lasting solutions.
Mr Katambi directed institutions under his ministry to address the immediate challenges as a matter of urgency and said a joint meeting involving key stakeholders would be held to address issues requiring wider government intervention within 14 days.
He assured the public that transport services would return to normal, saying Regional Police Commanders across the country had been instructed to strengthen security and ensure the safety of passengers as services resumed.
“I want to assure you that your President is listening to you. When she heard about this, she issued instructions immediately because she knows that we are seeking livelihoods, creating livelihoods and building the economy,” Mr Katambi said.
On the driving licence points system, the minister directed the Police Force to suspend its implementation, saying the system was undergoing assessment and pilot implementation under the 2014 Road Safety Regulations (Driving Licence Points System), which were amended in 2025.
He said the suspension would allow a comprehensive assessment involving drivers, bus owners’ representatives and other stakeholders in the transport sector.
Mr Katambi also directed the Head of the Traffic Safety Unit to ensure that complaints raised by drivers over the system were addressed and that no driver was unfairly treated or subjected to action contrary to the new instructions.
He further ordered the Police Force to establish better mechanisms for identifying traffic offences, instead of using tactics of ambushing or lying in wait for drivers along roads.
Such practices, he said, could increase the risk of road accidents, urging authorities to use available technology and improved monitoring systems to identify violations and monitor vehicle conduct.
The minister, however, urged drivers to comply with road safety laws and other laws of the country, while calling on law enforcement agencies to discharge their duties professionally and with discipline.
The longer-term issues raised by drivers include poor road infrastructure, challenges involving the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), driver training arrangements and concerns over training offered by institutions including the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), the National Institute of Transport (NIT) and the Police Force.
Mr Katambi urged drivers to remain calm and give the government time to address their concerns, saying action would be taken as quickly as possible.
Presenting the grievances, Tanzania Bus Drivers’ Union (UWAMATA) Chairman Majura Kafumu said the drivers had suspended services because of difficulties and challenges they faced in their work.
He said their demands included improved contractual terms and conditions, an end to what they described as arbitrary deduction of licence points and suspension of driving licences, improved road infrastructure and better oversight of the VTS.
The strike disrupted services in several parts of the country, leaving some passengers stranded and affecting travel schedules.
In Dodoma, drivers at Nanenane Bus Terminal said the deduction of three points from driving licences for certain road safety violations was creating uncertainty among motorists and called for the system to be reviewed.
Driver Zakayo John questioned how quickly a driver could exhaust the allocated points if three were deducted for a single offence.
“If one offence can result in three points being deducted, how many offences could a driver commit within a month? Once the points are exhausted, the licence is automatically suspended,” he said.
Another driver operating a Ngasere bus said motorists were not opposed to regulation but wanted alternative measures to promote compliance with road safety requirements.
He also raised concerns over the VTS, saying it could detect a vehicle exceeding the prescribed speed limit and trigger action against a driver.
