Over 500 Bodaboda riders arrested in Zanzibar for traffic violations

ZANZIBAR: OVER 500 bodaboda riders were as of March 2025 arrested in Zanzibar for violation of various traffic rules, the House of Representatives was told here yesterday.

Deputy Minister for Works, Communication and Transport, Nadir Yusuf said collaborative operations with the police are regularly conducted to arrest offensive bodaboda riders, some of whom are fined and compelled to undergo driving courses before returning to work.

The deputy minister was answering a question by Nungwi Representative Abdalla Abasi Wadi who sought to know plans underway to decentralise licence issuance to district and municipal councils.

The legislator further sought to know the government strategies to address the challenge of bodaboda riders whom he said have become a public nuisance in the islands.

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The deputy minister explained that the licence issuance process starts with training at the driving schools, which are scattered all over the districts.

He further explained that the authority is completing testing arrangement prior to licence issuance.

He said the government formalised bodaboda business in the country through introduction of regulations, which compel drivers to attend driving training, acquire licence and pass their motorcycles, among other requirements.