Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE fierce battle for passengers among bus operators in Chipinge has taken a dangerous turn after part of a bus was blown away by explosives in an attack linked to rival crews.
The driver and conductor, who survived the attack, were sleeping inside the bus when the explosion went off in the early hours of Friday.
It is believed that mining explosives were used in the attack.
The explosion, which occurred around 3am, extensively damaged the bus’ right rear tyre and axle, leaving the vehicle grounded.
It heightened fears this could escalate amid fierce competition for lucrative passenger transport routes.
Police have launched investigations into the incident, although no arrests had been made by the time of publication.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident, and said the driver and conductor were sleeping in the bus when the explosion went off.
“We are investigating a case of attempted murder and malicious damage to property which happened on August 21, 2026.
“A bus belonging to Big Game was parked at Chinheya Business Centre.
“On the same day around 3am, a person went to the bus and threw a detonator on the rear wheels. The bus driver and conductor were sleeping inside the bus at the back.
“The driver and conductor managed to escape safely. The bus was damaged at the back. We are now investigating the motive behind the attack,” he said.
The incident is the latest in a series of violent confrontations involving bus operators and their crews in Chipinge.
Established transport companies are said to be resisting the entry of new competitors on profitable routes such as Chipinge-Harare, Chipinge-Bulawayo, Chipinge-Kwekwe and other destinations.
Residents said the blast sent shockwaves across parts of the town and has raised serious concerns about the safety of commuters, who rely on public transport services daily.
“Those were explosives that we suspect were planted on the bus by a crew from a rival company.
“It happened around 3am.
“There was a loud bang that echoed across most parts of Chipinge town. They are fighting over routes,” said a resident, who declined to be named.
The attack has triggered renewed calls for authorities to restore order at bus termini and deal decisively with what many passengers describe as a “growing jungle” in the public transport sector.
Several commuters interviewed expressed concern that the escalating route wars could eventually claim innocent lives.
“It is very frightening. Today it is a bus that has been blown up, but tomorrow it could be passengers caught in the middle.
“We are the ones who suffer because of these fights. Bus operators are supposed to compete professionally, not use violence.
“Authorities must intervene before lives are lost,” said Tawanda Mlambo, a regular traveller between Chipinge and Harare.
Another passenger, Memory Chitima, said the deteriorating situation was making commuters feel unsafe whenever they boarded buses.
“We just want to travel peacefully and reach our destinations safely. What is happening now resembles a jungle where everyone is fighting for passengers.
“The Government, police and transport authorities must bring sanity to the sector,” she said.
Shepherd Marimo, who frequently uses buses travelling to Bulawayo, said the violent rivalry was damaging the image of Chipinge’s transport industry.
“These operators need to understand that passengers are not commodities to fight over.
“There must be proper regulation at bus ranks and harsh punishment for those who intimidate competitors or endanger the public,” he said.
Passengers also blamed the violence on growing competition among operators and the activities of touts who aggressively solicit customers on behalf of transport companies.
“The touts often provoke each other and sometimes fights break out in full view of passengers, including women and children.
“Authorities must deal with these illegal activities because they create a breeding ground for bigger crimes,” said another commuter, Rutendo Mukome.
