In the heart of Greater North Kivu, the community of motorcycle taxi drivers is shaken by a worrying wave of insecurity, endangering the lives of its members. The association “Taximen in Danger” is sounding the alarm in the face of a series of violent attacks against motorcycle taxi drivers, exposing a scourge that is plaguing their daily lives.
During the year 2024, six drivers tragically lost their lives, victims of barbaric acts perpetrated by armed individuals, while around thirty motorcycles were stolen, depriving their owners of their livelihood. The latest attack, which occurred in the Kyaghala district, left a motorcycle taxi driver seriously injured, recalling the brutality of these recurring acts.
Jérôme Malule, head of the association “Taximen in Danger”, calls on the authorities to intervene decisively to ensure the safety of drivers, victims of a constantly growing crime. He stresses the urgency of protective measures, both day and night, to stem this phenomenon and preserve the lives of these essential workers.
However, the ineffectiveness of the investigations carried out following these incidents is troubling, leaving a feeling of impunity that fuels the cycle of violence. The mayor of Butembo, the senior commissioner Mowa Baeki Telly Roger, affirms the mobilization of his services to guarantee public safety, but the motorcycle taxi drivers are still waiting for concrete results to restore the peace necessary for the exercise of their profession.
Ultimately, the threat weighing on motorcycle taxi drivers in North Kivu goes beyond the simple framework of news items to illustrate a crucial issue of public safety and the fight against crime. Calls for action are growing as the spectre of violence haunts the daily lives of these workers, demanding a concerted and effective response from the authorities to restore confidence and guarantee their safety on the region’s roads.