Katrina Nomboga 

Public transportation plays a major role in the daily movement of residents and visitors in Windhoek. 

Public transport includes services such as registered taxis, minibuses, buses and other licensed vehicles that carry passengers for a fare. However, operating a taxi without the correct legal documentation is not only unlawful but also puts passengers at risk and often leads to unnecessary conflict during law enforcement operations.

The Windhoek City Police Service (WCPS) continues to observe cases where taxi operators transport members of the public while their documents are either incomplete, expired or not matching the vehicle in use. 

Some drivers are operating vehicles not registered in the Taxi Registration System (TRS), while others use permits registered to different vehicles or owners. 

These irregularities remain a serious concern in a city where transport safety and accountability must be prioritised.

Before any vehicle can be registered as a taxi, screening is conducted to check for outstanding traffic fines or Warrants of Arrest on the permit owner, driver and vehicle.  Where outstanding notices exist, the process cannot proceed until the matter is resolved. 

If a court date has lapsed and the matter reflects at the Warrant of Arrest level, a court order will be required before registration can continue. Once cleared, the vehicle must undergo a roadworthiness inspection by a vehicle examiner to ensure it is mechanically fit and safe for passenger transport. 

Permit details are also verified against the licence disc. 

Vehicles that pass this process are issued with an inspection approval document, while those that fail must be repaired and presented again for re-inspection.

Thereafter, registration is done on the TRS, where all public transport details are captured and verified, including permit details, vehicle ownership, driver and vehicle particulars. 

Drivers must have a valid driver’s licence endorsed with a valid Professional Authorisation (PA).  Without a valid PA, no person may transport passengers for reward. Further verification is conducted on the old public transport system and eNatis to confirm that permits are not duplicated and that any previously linked vehicles are no longer operating unlawfully. Once registration is completed, the operator is issued with a Distinguished Number Certificate (DNC), after which the vehicle must be marked accordingly and returned for inspection before the registration certificate, also known as the “blue paper”, is issued. The WCPS further reminds taxi operators that, for a new public motor vehicle registration to take place, both the permit owner and the driver must be present with original documents. 

No registration, renewal or certificate will be issued if the owner or driver has outstanding notices, unpaid fines or Warrants of Arrests. These procedures exist to ensure that only legally compliant and roadworthy vehicles operate as taxis in Windhoek. 

Compliance is not only about avoiding fines or impoundment, but it also ensures protecting lives and maintaining professionalism in the public transport industry. 

The Windhoek City Police Service will continue conducting regular taxi verifications and inspections to discourage illegal operations.

For emergencies and crime-related matters, contact the Windhoek City Police Service on 061 302 302 or 061 290 2239.

*Katrina Nomboga is an assistant superintendent of public relations and community policing at the Windhoek City Police Service.