Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A BUS driver and his two conductors employed by Big Game Bus Company are lucky to be alive after an explosive device was detonated on the rear wheels of their bus while they were sleeping inside at Chinheya Business Centre in Chipinge.
The dramatic incident, which occurred at around 3am, has sent shockwaves through the public transport sector, with police investigating the matter as attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
Authorities are also probing allegations that the attack could be linked to escalating disputes among operators over lucrative transport routes. The three crew members, driver, Mr Gift Gafa and conductors, Norman Tagara and Nathan Chikani, were sleeping inside the bus when the blast ripped through the rear section of the vehicle.
Mr Gafa said they were fortunate to have survived what could easily have turned into a deadly tragedy.
“We had parked the bus at Chinheya Business Centre and slept inside as we normally do. I was sleeping directly above the rear wheels, while the conductors were resting further back.
“We had experienced some skirmishes with touts linked to another bus company a few days earlier, but on that particular night everything appeared normal,” he said.
The peace was shattered moments later.
“At around 3am, there was a huge explosion directly beneath where I was sleeping. The force of the blast threw me off the seats. Some seats were uprooted, there was a large crack in the floor and flames started coming into the bus.
“I quickly threw our blankets outside to stop them from catching fire. We rushed out and managed to extinguish the flames before the entire bus was engulfed. One of the inner tyres burst as a result of the explosion,” said Mr Gafa.
He said the crew did not see who planted or threw the explosive device.
Mr Gafa alleged that tensions had been brewing over competition on the Chipinge-Harare route. “There is a bus company that does not want us operating on the route. Last week, their crew allegedly manhandled us and forced us off the rank. We are no longer feeling safe and hope the police will bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
Big Game Bus Company director, Mr Tragedy Dube, condemned the attack and called on Government and law enforcement agencies to urgently intervene.
He warned that the situation appeared to be deteriorating from intimidation and physical confrontations to potentially deadly violence.
“There are some players who want to monopolise certain routes and are allegedly using all sorts of tactics to frustrate competitors. We are experiencing challenges on the Harare-Chipinge and Harare-Chiredzi routes.
“We have all the necessary permits to operate, but some operators behave as if those routes belong exclusively to them,” said Mr Dube.
He said the consequences could have been catastrophic had the crew failed to escape the burning vehicle.
“It started with threats and physical violence, and now explosives are being used. Human lives are being put at risk because of greed and bullying. This has been happening for some time, yet we have remained professional despite the provocations.
“Our bus sustained significant damage and the company has incurred losses as a result of the attack,” he said.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that investigations were underway.
“We are investigating a case of attempted murder and malicious damage to property that occurred on August 21, 2026.
“A bus belonging to Big Game Bus Company was parked at Chinheya Business Centre. At around 3am, an unknown suspect allegedly threw or placed an explosive device on the rear wheels of the bus.
“The driver and conductors were sleeping inside at the time and managed to escape unharmed. The bus sustained damage to its rear section. Investigations are continuing to establish the motive and identify the suspects,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
Police have appealed for information that may assist investigations into the incident.
