Auto-Rickshaw Divers in Mogadishu Stage Demos against “Exorbitant” Tax

Hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers in Mogadishu on Wednesday staged demonstrations complaining of what they termed as exorbitant tax imposed by the Mogadishu local government.

They also complain of constant harassment by the municipal soldiers who they said beat them in public and drag them in the streets.

Mahdi Farah Afey the chairman of a committee set up by the drivers told reporters that the problem is so disturbing that they are on the verge to down tool.

“We are protesting because of high taxes imposed by the local government, this is unjust and is unreasonable, to make things worse if the driver gets sick and the rickshaw lays idle for a month or two, the municipality want to charge for those months and if one refuses he is subjected to harassment and imprisonment” said Mahdi.

They said that they accept paying the taxes but through legal means and demanded that the money they pay should be deposited to the central bank.

The popular three-wheeled public transport is seen to be driving the country’s economy forward and employs thousands of youth in the capital alone.

Authorities are yet to respond to the claims made by the protesting drivers.

Goobjoog News