Fatshimetrie, June 29, 2024 – In the heart of Lubumbashi, the town hall’s radical decision to ban the circulation of motorcycle taxis and pirate market sellers in the city center is sparking contrasting reactions. This measure, which will come into force on July 1, 2024, aims to regulate traffic flow and fight against the unsanitary conditions that plague the city.
Motorcycle taxis, often singled out for their involvement in chronic traffic jams which paralyze traffic, are forced to respect these new regulations. Yves Tshiamala, president of the bikers’ committee in the Boulevard Lumumba sector, reacted pragmatically by declaring: “We are not politicians, we must comply with the measures taken by the urban authority.”
On the other hand, sellers of pirate markets, set up wildly in front of stores or in public spaces, are also affected by this ban. Lubumbashi town hall seems determined to restore order and cleanliness in the city center, by encouraging these informal traders to leave and respect the rules in force.
This decision, although necessary to clean up the urban environment, raises questions about its social impacts. Indeed, many motorcycle taxis and pirate market sellers depend on these informal activities to meet their daily needs. It is therefore essential that support measures are put in place to help them find alternative solutions.
In a context where the management of urban space and the regulation of informal activities are major issues, the decision of the Lubumbashi town hall marks a turning point in the way in which the city addresses issues linked to mobility and the environment. . It remains to be hoped that this ban will be accompanied by concrete measures aimed at guaranteeing the transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive model for all stakeholders concerned.