Drivers Who Mix Passengers with Cargo Warned

By The Inspirer.

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) has called on public transport drivers to cease the practice of overloading vehicles by mixing passengers with cargo or livestock.

RNP spokesperson, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, urged passengers using public transport not to accept being crammed with goods or animals after paying for their seats.

He made these remarks on November 16, 2024, during a press briefing held in the Northern Province, which aimed to strengthen collaboration between the police and the media. The session also provided an opportunity to discuss existing challenges, seek solutions, and improve how stories are reported to ensure they do not compromise public safety and security.

One of the key issues raised was the plight of passengers traveling to areas such as Cyanika, Kinigi, and Vunga, among others, where they are often crammed alongside cargo, poultry, and other livestock.

Passengers frequently complain about this practice, which they say endangers their safety, and they have called on authorities to address the problem. On the other hand, many drivers argue that the primary reason for overloading passengers and mixing them with cargo is the insufficient number of vehicles serving those routes, coupled with their reluctance to leave people stranded along the way.

ACP Rutikanga emphasized that drivers operating on routes with minimal police presence tend to engage in such practices, reminiscent of the past, but he insisted that such behavior is entirely unacceptable today.

He encouraged passengers to advocate for their rights by reporting such incidents to the police, who would penalize the offending drivers. “This culture needs to be eradicated entirely,” he said.

Addressing passengers, ACP Rutikanga stated that they should not tolerate being crammed with cargo after paying for transport. He added: “Why should a paying passenger not tell the driver, ‘No’? If one person speaks up and is removed, it’s because others remain silent. You must all reject this practice.”

He called on the RNP Traffic Department to tackle this issue by educating drivers and enforcing penalties to ensure compliance with the law.

“Educating drivers is important, but punitive measures must also be applied to stop this practice of overloading passengers,” he said.

The Rwanda National Police urged drivers to abide by the laws regulating their profession, prioritize safety over profit, and avoid endangering the lives of their passengers.

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