Touts, Turf Fights & Terror Grip Zim’s Bus Termini
A fresh wave of anarchy is gripping the country’s public transport system, with commuters caught in the crossfire of violent turf wars, rampant touting, and reckless competition among bus operators.
Shocking videos recently surfaced online—one shows a bus dangerously tailgating another at a terminus, jostling for space like gladiators in an arena.
Another depicts a man being aggressively shoved into a bus against his will, while a rank marshal screams at rival crews: “Hamulodhe pano!” (You won’t load passengers here!).
These disturbing scenes evoke memories of the 2023 Rimbi-Zebra Kiss bus crash, where senseless competition turned deadly. And despite that tragedy, it’s clear little has changed.
The chaos stems partly from a government policy — Statutory Instrument 138 of 2022 — which lifted import duties for registered operators.
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Over 1,500 buses have since flooded the roads. As reported by The Herald, while this move aimed to improve public transport access, it has also intensified cutthroat competition at bus ranks.
In Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare, touts and rank marshals dominate the termini.
They grab luggage, drag passengers, and demand extortionate payments from operators just to load.
“They descend on you, grabbing your luggage, dragging you,” said Maria Machiridza at Harare’s Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus.
“Resist and they threaten you . . . You have no escape. You just go with them, even if you do not wish to board their chosen bus.”
A Harare bus operator described the situation as deeply demoralising, revealing that marshals demand at least US$8 per trip just to allow them to load passengers.
“It is soul-crushing,” laments a bus operator in Harare.
“They demand not less than US$8 per trip.
“My buses are often empty, while others, who pay off marshals, get decent business. How can I feed my family or keep my bus roadworthy when I cannot even get a fair chance?”
Tafadzwa Goliati of the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe blasted the chaos:
“This behaviour is an affront to human dignity. Passengers are bullied, manhandled and verbally abused by touts operating with impunity,” he said.
“Decisive action is long overdue. Passenger safety and dignity must be paramount.”
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has raised alarm over the conduct of touts, noting that many are often intoxicated and pose a serious threat to public safety.
“These touts and rank marshals, often intoxicated, harass and intimidate the public,” Comm Nyathi said.
“Others engage in overt violence, theft and other criminal activities, cultivating fear among passengers.”
Meanwhile, suspicions of corruption swirl. Operators allege some marshals share extorted funds with city officials, creating a system where law enforcement turns a blind eye.
Transport Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco declared:
“As the responsible ministry, we unequivocally condemn violence. We will not hesitate to impose severe penalties on anyone violating road safety rules with impunity,” he said.
“Lawlessness on our roads will not be tolerated.”
Efforts to restore order are underway. In Mutare, operators are being registered under four associations—MDATA, Progressive Family Trust, Urban League, and SCUTA to weed out illegal players.
“Commuters know their destination. Why need a tout?” asked MDATA president Saul Tomu.
“We want sanity, and we’re determined to achieve it.”
