Minister Breaks Silence As Rank Marshals And Tout Harassment Returns To Manicaland

By Shingirai Vambe

Manicaland Province has once again come under scrutiny following renewed reports of violence, intimidation and alleged extortion by rank marshals, raising questions about law enforcement effectiveness, political accountability and public safety across the province.

Concerns were formally put to the Minister of State for Manicaland Province, Misheck Mugadza, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mutasa Constituency, amid growing public unease over the conduct of rank marshals operating in urban centres, transport hubs and growth points.

Among the issues raised were whether the rank marshal phenomenon falls under the minister’s direct oversight, what measures are being taken to curb persistent harassment of commuters, and whether security agencies have failed to restore order following violent feuds in Rusape that recently left several others injured and some forced to go into hidding.

Additional questions centred on allegations that rank marshals are illegally collecting money from public and private transport operators, including commuter omnibuses, taxis and government buses, and whether such practices are sanctioned under any law.

In response, Mugadza sought to reassure the public that Zimbabwe remains a country governed by law.

“Let me assure you that Zimbabwe is not a lawless country. All those people that seek to take the law into their own hands will always be brought to book,” Mugadza said.

He said President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa does not tolerate disorder or individuals who operate outside the law.

“Our president is a no-nonsense leader who does not tolerate chaos or those people that think they are a law unto themselves,” he added.

Mugadza confirmed that some leaders associated with rank marshal groups had previously been incarcerated for about six months and were only recently released, amid emerging reports that they may have returned to their previous activities.

“We now hear that they are taking the law into their hands again and have gone back to their old ways of breaking the law. This is unacceptable,” he said.

While the minister stopped short of outlining specific operational strategies, citing security sensitivities, he insisted that authorities were actively engaged.

“Unfortunately, I can’t give you the finer details and intricacies of how law enforcement is operating because these are matters of security. But what I can assure you is that all culprits bent on tarnishing the good name of our country and harassing peace-loving Zimbabweans will be brought to book sooner or later.”

Despite these assurances, residents, transport operators and civic voices argue that conditions on the ground tell a different story.

In Rusape, Mutare and surrounding districts, commuters report routine harassment, forced payments and intimidation at rank-and-file transport points, particularly during early mornings and late evenings. Operators allege that refusal to comply often results in assaults, vehicle damage or denial of access to loading points.

Sources familiar with the situation allege that the persistence of rank marshal activities is being driven by well-organised networks that extend beyond street-level operators. According to these sources, some of the funds collected through illegal levies are allegedly channelled away from local authorities and instead benefit individuals considered “untouchable” by ordinary policing structures.

There are also unverified but persistent allegations that elements within political and administrative structures are shielding or benefiting from cartels linked to rank marshals and drug peddling operations. These claims, while not proven, continue to circulate widely among residents and transport associations, further eroding public confidence in enforcement agencies.

Local authorities have long complained of lost revenue, arguing that funds meant for councils are being siphoned off through parallel collection systems enforced by rank marshals. This has compounded service delivery challenges, particularly road maintenance, refuse collection and public transport management.

Security analysts note that the re-emergence of rank marshal violence reflects broader governance and economic pressures, including high unemployment, weakened regulatory systems and blurred lines between political influence and criminal enterprise.

As Manicaland grapples with rising insecurity, residents are calling for visible, decisive action, not only arrests at street level, but investigations that address alleged protection networks and financial flows behind the violence.

For now, the minister’s assurances stand against a backdrop of continued fear, unanswered questions and a public demanding accountability beyond rhetoric.

 

About The Author