Bus rank chaos and reckless competition plague Zimbabwe's public transport sector

A disturbing video recently surfaced showing two buses dangerously tailgating and jostling for a loading bay at a terminus, rekindling painful memories of the tragic 2023 Rimbi-Zebra Kiss fatal bus crash along the Harare-Nyamapanda road. That disaster was the tragic culmination of reckless competition for passengers starting right at a bus rank - a lesson that appears to have been largely ignored by today's bus crews.

Commuters, too, are bearing the brunt of the disorder. Another viral video shows a visibly shaken man being aggressively accosted and forced into a bus by rank marshals, amid shouted commands warning rival crews not to load passengers at that spot. Such turf wars between rival bus companies and rank marshals have become alarmingly common.

Reports indicate clashes between competing bus companies and harassment of commuters by rank marshals are on the rise, fueled by a recent surge in the number of buses on Zimbabwe's roads. This influx follows the Government's 2022 decision to lift customs duty on new public service buses for registered operators - a move intended to improve the sector by promoting affordable, reliable transport. Over 1,500 buses have since been imported under this dispensation.

While this has expanded transport options and helped reduce fares, it has also intensified competition, leading to chaos at bus termini. Police and city officials are battling to restore order, but problems persist not only in Harare but also in cities like Bulawayo and Mutare.

Rank marshals, known locally as "mahwindi," often rule these bus ranks with intimidation and violence. "They descend on you, grabbing your luggage, dragging you. Resist and they threaten you… You have no escape," said Maria Machiridza at Harare's Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus. Many commuters feel powerless as they are forced to board buses against their will.

In Bulawayo, illegal pick-up points and rampant touting remain major challenges despite efforts to organise the transport system. Along Harare Road and at an unofficial Masvingo-Beitbridge stop, touts openly scramble for passengers. The city centre also struggles with a persistent illegal kombi stop on 6th Avenue, which police and the Bulawayo City Council have failed to control.

Rumors abound that some officials benefit from these illicit activities, with touts and pirate taxis reportedly paying daily bribes of up to US$5 to maintain their turf. Similar patterns have emerged in Mutare, where cash demands by touts are spreading even to high-density suburbs.

Passengers' groups and police alike condemn the chaos. Tafadzwa Goliati, national coordinator for the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ), described the harassment as an affront to human dignity, calling for decisive action to restore safety and respect.

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged operators to avoid hiring touts and bouncers who intimidate commuters and tarnish the industry's reputation. "These touts often intoxicated, engage in violence, theft and cultivate fear among passengers," he said.

While arrests have been made, officials agree that a sustained and comprehensive approach is needed. In Mutare, Acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka is leading efforts to restore order by cracking down on tout payments and coordinating with local authorities.

"The situation is improving, but operators must stop paying or employing touts. Without payment, touts lose influence," said Asst Insp Chinyoka.

The industry's cutthroat competition also leads to reckless driving, with buses captured on video dangerously swerving or speeding to block rivals, putting lives at risk.

Bus operators complain that those who refuse to pay marshals are denied passengers, threatening their livelihood. "They demand not less than US$8 per trip," said one Harare operator. "My buses are often empty while others pay and get business. How can I feed my family if I don't get a fair chance?"

Manicaland Drivers and Transporters Association (MDATA) president Saul Tomu urged operators to reject tout payments and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, calling touting corruption that breeds confusion and nightmares for commuters.

Deputy Minister of Transport Joshua Sacco condemned intimidation and violence, warning that lawlessness will not be tolerated and that offenders will face severe penalties.

Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC) president Pious Chidzenga said touts create disorder and contribute to accidents, turning commutes into dangerous gambles.

Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators (GHACCO) chairperson Ngoni Katsvairo lamented the damage to the industry's image and stressed the need for police enforcement to ensure all operators are properly registered and accountable.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is also urged to reclaim bus termini, which have effectively been privatized by informal criminal groups. Proper rank infrastructure, clear demarcation of loading bays, and visible policing are critical to curbing lawlessness.

In Mutare, the city council has taken steps by registering transport operators under four recognised associations to regulate the sector and improve passenger safety. Tonderai Sango, director of spatial operations, said operators must register under these associations to be legally recognised and operate in a safer, more orderly environment.

As Zimbabwe's public transport sector grows, the challenge remains to balance increased capacity with safety, dignity, and respect for commuters - an urgent task that demands coordinated action from government, police, operators, and local authorities alike.