Police detained ten people following violent disturbances at Kulima Tower Bus Station in Lusaka after rival groups clashed over control of illegal revenue collections at the government-owned transport facility. The violence broke out in the early hours of Sunday when groups armed with stones and metal objects confronted each other at the station, forcing drivers and passengers to flee. Several buses sustained damage during the chaos, with windows shattered as the confrontation escalated.
Kulima Tower Bus Station, one of Lusaka’s busiest transport hubs, has for months operated under informal control structures linked to unauthorised daily collections imposed on drivers. Operators have reported being forced to pay fixed amounts before being allowed to load passengers, with additional charges levied per trip. Investigations indicate that the violence was triggered by disputes over how the collected money was being shared.
One group accused another of monopolising the proceeds, leading to a breakdown in the informal arrangement that had governed operations at the station. The confrontation disrupted transport services and raised safety concerns for commuters using the facility. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as passengers scrambled to escape the fighting, while drivers abandoned vehicles to avoid injury.
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Police responded to the incident and managed to restore order after several hours. Officers cordoned off sections of the station while suspects were rounded up. Those arrested face charges related to malicious damage to property and public disorder.
The incident has renewed attention on persistent illegal activities at bus stations despite repeated efforts to restore control to local authorities. Kulima Tower is under the jurisdiction of the Lusaka City Council, yet unauthorised collections have continued largely unchecked. Drivers operating at the station have previously complained of intimidation, including demands for personal documents as proof of compliance with the informal system.
Those who resisted were reportedly barred from operating at the station. The violence has prompted calls for decisive action to dismantle illegal control structures at public transport facilities. Observers argue that failure to address the issue fuels lawlessness and places commuters at risk. As investigations continue, pressure is mounting on authorities to enforce regulations governing public transport operations and restore lawful management at Kulima Tower to prevent further unrest.
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