Zimbabwe Drivers Push for Professional Recognition as Parliament Considers Regulation

By Staff Reporter
The Drivers Association of Zimbabwe has approached Parliament with a proposal to have driving formally recognised and regulated as a profession.

The association is calling for legislation that would establish a statutory framework governing professional drivers, including minimum academic, technical and competency requirements for those entering the industry.

Petition Referred to Parliamentary Committee

Association president Nicholas Mabwe signed the petition, which was recently submitted to Parliament Clerk Kennedy Chokuda.

National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda subsequently informed legislators that the petition had been referred for consideration.

The matter has been assigned to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, which is expected to consult stakeholders before making recommendations to Parliament.

Proposed Professional Body for Drivers

At the heart of the proposal is the establishment of a legally recognised professional body responsible for regulating the driving profession.

The body would set entry requirements, monitor professional standards, oversee ethical conduct and deal with disciplinary matters involving drivers.

The association wants professional drivers in sectors such as public transport, haulage and logistics to be registered with the proposed body. Employers would also be required to ensure that drivers meet the prescribed professional standards.

Road Safety at the Centre of Proposal

Mabwe argues that road safety challenges cannot be addressed through traffic enforcement alone.

He says drivers should undergo continuous professional development and be required to maintain clearly defined standards throughout their careers.

According to the association, Zimbabwe currently lacks a statutory institution for drivers similar to professional regulatory bodies in sectors such as law and medicine.

Mabwe believes the absence of such a framework has contributed to problems within the transport sector, including road crashes, drink-driving, theft, assault and smuggling.

Mabwe Draws From Police Experience

The proposal is partly based on Mabwe's experience in law enforcement. He spent 20 years in the Zimbabwe Republic Police, including six years in the Traffic Branch.

He said his experience dealing with traffic offences and road users convinced him that Zimbabwe needs a long-term approach to improving driving standards and reducing road accidents.

The association also points to the achievements of its members as evidence that professional driving standards can be maintained.

It has 15 award-winning drivers from various established organisations. Some have won the Driver of the Year Competition organised by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, while others have represented Zimbabwe in international driving competitions organised by Scania Group in South Africa, Poland and Finland.
Parliament to Examine the Proposal

The Drivers Association believes that professionalising the sector would strengthen accountability and improve standards across Zimbabwe's transport industry.

Rather than focusing only on obtaining a driver's licence and complying with traffic laws, the proposed system would require drivers to meet professional standards before entering the industry and maintain those standards throughout their careers.

The parliamentary committee will now consider the proposal and consult relevant stakeholders before presenting its recommendations to Parliament.