By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE, 8 May 2026 – The Mutare and District Transporters Association (MDATA) has dragged Mutare City Council to court following the relocation of its commuter omnibus operating rank from the Mudzviti Bus Terminus to the Jameson Street rank, commonly known as the Old Rank.
The legal dispute comes amid recent changes by council to commuter omnibus and bus ranks in Mutare’s central business district as authorities seek to bring order to the city’s public transport system and curb rampant touting and illegal pirate taxis, commonly known as mushika-shika.
Under the new transport arrangement, council designated five commuter omnibus and bus ranks in the city centre, to be managed under registered transport associations including MDATA, MTA, SCUTTA, Urban Link and Progressive Family Trust.
Sources within the transport sector said MDATA had initially been allocated the Mudzviti Bus Terminus rank before council later moved the association to the Jameson Street rank, a decision that sparked dissatisfaction among operators.
The association is now challenging the relocation through the courts.
During a recent tour by councillors and council management, Mutare Mayor Councillor Simon Chabuka acknowledged growing discontent over rank allocations and conditions at some termini.
“Our people are not happy, the whole of Dangamvura is not happy,” said Chabuka.
Speaking on the state of the Dangamvura rank, the mayor said poor infrastructure remained a major concern.
“At night there is no light, there is too much dust,” he said.
Chabuka called for urgent measures to improve facilities at the rank, including the installation of lights, gravel surfacing and enhanced security.
“If we can have lights, let’s have lights. TC and DDC may you engage police so that we have a police base here,” he said.
“For now let’s remain here while we are trying to improve by putting gravel and lights.”
However, the mayor said council could not fully discuss the MDATA matter because it was now before the courts.
“The most important matter is security of the people here. For now we cannot discuss a lot because it’s before the courts. We can’t do anything,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from MDATA were unsuccessful until the time of publication.
The court challenge is expected to test council’s transport reforms, which were introduced to decongest the city centre and restore order in the commuter omnibus sector. Operators, however, say rank allocations must be transparent and fair to avoid disrupting livelihoods and commuter services.