Bus Hijack Leaves Two Dead: Cross-Border Travel Under Siege

Two passengers were killed in a violent hijacking of a Zimbabwe-bound Delta bus near Johannesburg (image source)

A Zimbabwe-bound Delta bus was violently hijacked near Johannesburg early Thursday morning, leaving two passengers dead and dozens traumatised. The attack, which occurred on the N1 highway between Mantsole and Kranskop toll plaza in Limpopo, has sparked renewed fears over the safety of cross-border travel between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants boarded the bus at Bosman Station in Pretoria, blending in with other passengers. Shortly after passing the third toll gate, the attackers brandished firearms and ordered passengers to surrender their belongings. One man was shot five times for resisting, and a stray bullet fatally struck a woman seated behind him.

The scene was chaotic. “People were screaming, trying to hide under seats. It was like a war zone,” said 28-year-old survivor Thabiso Ncube, who was travelling to Bulawayo to visit family. A viral post on social media read, “Sekudutshulwe abantu babili sebeshonile” — “Two people have been shot and are deceased.” A haunting image of a child trying to revive her lifeless mother has since circulated, amplifying public outrage.

Security analyst Tinashe Mudzamiri says the attack fits a disturbing pattern. “These syndicates operate with precision. They know the routes, the timing, and the vulnerabilities. What’s alarming is the increasing brutality and lack of deterrence.” South African Police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that a manhunt is underway. “We are pursuing leads and will ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said.

Back in Bulawayo, fear has gripped families awaiting loved ones. At the Delta Bus Station, the atmosphere was tense. “We travel by the grace of God,” said commuter Samukeliso Mpofu. Vendors continued selling goods, but many passengers expressed hesitation about future travel.

Delta Corporation has yet to issue an official statement. Critics argue the company has failed to implement adequate security measures despite repeated attacks on its fleet. This is not an isolated incident. In April 2024, two Zimbabwean women were shot during a similar robbery on a cross-border bus. The modus operandi remains consistent: attackers board as passengers, strike in remote areas, and vanish before police arrive.

The tragedy exposes a systemic failure in regional transport security. Without coordinated policing, passenger screening, and real-time surveillance, these routes remain perilous. For many Zimbabweans, the road home is now a corridor of fear. Until transport companies and governments act decisively, cross-border travel will remain a high-risk venture for thousands who rely on it.