The city of Bukavu, located in the province of South Kivu, is shaken by a strike of taxi and taxi-bus drivers, which began on April 9 and is expected to continue until April 11. This protest aims to denounce the police harassment suffered by drivers on several roads in the region. Initiated by transporter associations and local civil society actors, this strike had a significant impact on the daily lives of Bukavu residents.
Indeed, with public transport vehicles out of service, the travel of schoolchildren, students and workers is severely disrupted. The population thus finds itself having difficulty getting to its various obligations and activities. This situation highlights the crucial importance of public transport services in the daily functioning of a city.
Taxi and taxi-bus drivers denounce the abusive financial demands of certain Road Traffic Police officers, who take advantage of their position to extort money from users without valid justification. This practice, in addition to being illegal, harms citizens’ confidence in law enforcement and hinders the flow of road traffic.
Faced with these allegations, the provincial commissioner of the Congolese National Police (PNC) in South Kivu announced corrective measures, including the reassignment of 22 PCR police officers to other units. In addition, a period of road courtesy has been established, aimed at improving relations between police officers and drivers, with the aim of ensuring better respect for the highway code and the rights of users.
Faced with this situation, civil society in South Kivu is divided over the reaction to adopt. While one party is calling for the strike to be called off on Wednesday, others are advocating a more radical approach, pleading to maintain pressure on the authorities until Thursday to ensure that the drivers’ demands are taken into account in an appropriate manner. appropriate.
This situation raises broader questions about the governance of the transport sector and the need to ensure fair working conditions for road professionals. It is essential that local authorities take concerted action to resolve these issues, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of the citizens of Bukavu and the South Kivu province as a whole.
In conclusion, the strike of taxi and taxi-bus drivers in Bukavu highlights the challenges facing the transport sector in the DRC and underlines the importance of promoting fair and equitable practices to ensure a healthy and safe working environment. for all stakeholders involved.