On September 30, 2026, Tanzania's Minister of Home Affairs, Patrobas Katambi, announced a series of measures aimed at resolving issues raised by drivers and ending a two-day strike. Speaking at the Magufuli Bus Station in Dar es Salaam, Katambi stated that President's directives had been passed to the Prime Minister and were being implemented quickly. The measures include the return of drivers' licenses, removal of unnecessary roadblocks, and improvement of road infrastructure.
Drivers who had their licenses confiscated or suspended due to minor offenses will have them returned in accordance with the law through the Appeals Authority under the Minister of Home Affairs. However, this will not apply to drivers involved in serious accidents that resulted in fatalities and whose cases are still pending in court. Katambi emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving disputes, urging drivers and citizens to seek solutions through negotiations rather than conflict.
Katambi has been empowered by the Prime Minister to address drivers' complaints, and their challenges will now be addressed. In a related development, Katambi announced that four government ministries will meet to analyze and find solutions to challenges related to the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS). The ministries involved are the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Transport, and Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Relations.
The meeting aims to address drivers' complaints about discrepancies between the VTS and road safety cameras. According to Katambi, there are instances where road safety cameras show a vehicle traveling at 100 km/h, while the VTS shows a speed of 130 km/h. These discrepancies have led to drivers receiving fines and facing challenges that require evaluation.
The government will work together to analyze these challenges and establish a transparent and fair system for drivers. Katambi stated that the VTS is a temporary measure during the transition period, as the government moves towards a modern digital system for controlling vehicle movement. The new system will feature independent cameras that record road offenses directly without requiring police control.
Katambi compared the new system to VAR technology used in soccer, aiming to ensure that camera evidence is used to verify offenses and increase fairness in enforcing road safety laws. The new system is expected to improve the efficiency and accuracy of traffic management in Tanzania.
The government's efforts to address driver concerns and improve road safety have been welcomed by stakeholders. The measures announced by Katambi are expected to reduce conflicts between drivers and authorities, promoting a safer and more efficient transportation system in Tanzania.
Key points
- The Tanzanian government has announced measures to address driver concerns, including the return of confiscated licenses and removal of unnecessary roadblocks.
- A new digital system for controlling vehicle movement is being introduced to improve traffic management and reduce disputes.
- The government has established a committee to analyze and resolve challenges related to the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS).
