Mbeya daladala and bajaji strike remains unresolved as Latra steps in

Mbeya residents were forced to pay up to three times the usual fare after daladala drivers stopped operating on Monday, September 7, accusing bajaji operators of entering their routes. At Kabwe daladala stand, Mwananchi found bajajis carrying passengers while daladalas were absent. The strike left passengers stranded in several areas and pushed some to spend more to reach work.

Bajaji fares rose from 1,000 Tanzanian shillings to 3,000 shillings. Kemea Mwakalinga, a resident of Mbeya town, said the disruption had affected both workers’ punctuality and their finances. “It has affected us greatly because we have failed to reach our workplaces on time, while the cost has risen to 3,000 shillings from town to Mbalizi. We ask the government to intervene,” Mwakalinga said.

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It has affected us greatly because we have failed to reach our workplaces on time, while the cost has risen to 3,000 shillings from town to Mbalizi. We ask the government to intervene.

Jason Msokwa said bajajis were still operating, but passengers faced sharply higher fares. “From Iyunga to Kabwe, you are charged 2,000 shillings, and by evening we expect to pay up to 4,000 shillings. Their dispute is troubling us residents. We ask them to sit down and settle it so services can continue,” he said.

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From Iyunga to Kabwe, you are charged 2,000 shillings, and by evening we expect to pay up to 4,000 shillings. Their dispute is troubling us residents. We ask them to sit down and settle it so services can continue.

Daladala driver Mohamed Zidadu said the strike followed alleged breaches of agreements by bajaji operators, particularly the crossing into daladala routes. He said drivers and vehicle owners were losing money while awaiting the outcome of talks between their leaders. Lucas Mwakyusa, chairman of the Mbeya Bajaji Association, said the operators were providing services according to laws and procedures, although some drivers might be working outside agreed areas. “They say certain areas are the problem because of overlapping routes. Some operators are acting against the rules, not all of them. We will follow up to identify the designated areas so everyone can work safely and observe the law, allowing services to continue for residents,” Mwakyusa said.

Petro Chacha, acting regional head of the Land Transport Regulatory Authority in Mbeya, said route overlap was the cause of the strike. He said talks involving all sides were continuing and expressed hope that they would produce an agreement on the long-running dispute.

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They say certain areas are the problem because of overlapping routes. Some operators are acting against the rules, not all of them. We will follow up to identify the designated areas so everyone can work safely and observe the law, allowing services to continue for residents.