Thousands of commuters in Harare could be travelling in commuter omnibuses without proper passenger insurance cover, raising serious concerns about safety and compensation in the event of road accidents.

Figures from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) show that about 16,000 commuter omnibuses operate in Harare, yet only around 3,000 are officially registered, highlighting widespread non-compliance within the public transport sector.

The situation means thousands of passengers board kombis every day without knowing whether the vehicles have the legally required passenger liability insurance.

Transport and road safety authorities say the issue is not simply the number of vehicles on the road, but how many are properly registered and insured.

Without passenger cover, accident victims may struggle to obtain compensation, leaving them responsible for medical expenses and long-term financial burdens.

Crash Survivors Speak Out

For some commuters, the consequences of travelling in uninsured vehicles have already become a harsh reality.

Florence Mashuwa, who survived a serious crash involving a commuter omnibus, said the lack of insurance support left her struggling with medical bills.

“I was travelling on a commuter omnibus from work when the accident occurred. I was badly injured on the chest and on the left leg,” she said.

“Since then I have not been able to do anything else. The commuter omnibus operator refused to assist with any compensation and the medical bills have been heavy for me.”

Another accident survivor, Pedzisai Mashaire, said she is still waiting for assistance two years after the crash.

“Up until now I have not heard from the kombi owner. Since the accident happened there has not been anyone from that company to assist,” she said.

“I have actually been plunged into huge debt as a result of this accident.”

Road Safety Authorities Raise Alarm

Zimbabwe continues to record high numbers of road accidents, with official statistics indicating that more than 2,000 people died in road crashes in 2025.

A survey of Harare’s major transport routes shows both registered yellow-plate kombis and unregistered vehicles dominating the public transport system, exposing passengers to potential legal and financial risks.

Managing Director of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), Munesushe Munodawafa, said the widespread use of unregistered vehicles creates multiple safety concerns.

“The challenges that are faced by the use of unregistered kombis are many and varied, ranging from safety of passengers to possible abuse and exposure in the event of an accident,” he said.

Munodawafa explained that some vehicles may carry third-party motor insurance, but that cover becomes invalid when the vehicle is used commercially to transport passengers without proper licensing.

“If a vehicle is not properly registered, it automatically means there is no passenger liability cover. Passengers are therefore left exposed,” he said.

Low Insurance Compliance

In written responses, the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) confirmed that public service vehicles are legally required to carry statutory insurance.

This includes:

• Road Traffic Act insurance (Third-Party Motor Insurance) for all vehicles
• Public Passenger Liability Insurance for vehicles transporting passengers

However, the commission said compliance with Road Traffic Act insurance currently stands at around 40 percent, indicating widespread failure by operators to meet legal requirements.

Proposed Road Accident Fund

Authorities say a planned Road Accident Fund could help close the compensation gap faced by victims of road accidents.

The proposed fund is expected to provide financial support to accident victims who currently struggle to receive compensation when vehicles involved in crashes are uninsured.

For now, however, road safety officials warn that thousands of commuters remain vulnerable every day as they rely on public transport that may not meet legal insurance requirements.

Adapted from reporting by Theophilus Chuma | ZBC News