‘They Earn More Than We Do’: How Cadres Continue to Extort Bus Operators

Despite government pledges to rid public spaces of political cadres, Zambia’s bus stations tell a different story.

Drivers, conductors, and commuters report that extortion by so-called ‘cadres’—allegedly linked to or operating under the ruling party’s banner—remains widespread. Through intimidation and daily illegal fees, transport workers are being deprived of their hard-earned income while cadres profit with impunity.

“We make K150 a day — but give cadres K200. They earn more than us,” said one frustrated driver.

At major stations like Kulima Tower and City Market, there is little visible presence of cadres. However, drivers say they are still pressured to make daily contributions—often disguised as donations for items like brooms. At undesignated stops along highways, extortion by violent youths claiming ties to the ruling party remains a persistent source of harassment.

This ongoing activity directly contradicts official government claims that cadreism has been eradicated from public spaces.

One of the young men who collects money from bus drivers revealed that at every bus stop, there is someone responsible for keeping a record of the daily collections in a notebook. He explained that the group has a chairperson who holds the money and later distributes each member’s share at the end of the month.

“Each station has someone who writes down how much we collect every day,” he said. “Our chairperson keeps the money safe and only shares it out at month-end. That’s how we operate.”

Drivers and conductors say they are forced to pay daily “fees” to these cadres, who often resort to intimidation, harassment, and even physical assault when met with resistance.

Commuters also say they experience frequent delays and chaotic scenes, which they attribute to interference by cadres operating at bus stations.

A MakanDay survey conducted in Lusaka revealed the presence of violent youths, particularly at undesignated stops along the highways.

The continued presence of cadres raises serious concerns about public safety, economic exploitation, and the government’s ability to enforce its anti-cadre policy.

These individuals are reportedly demanding money from drivers and conductors, creating a hostile environment that leaves many feeling vulnerable and frustrated.

“I spend about K200 every day giving money to cadres at the stations and designated bus stops. My conductor and I only make K150 — which is less than what the cadres collect from us daily. They’re earning more than the people actually doing the work,” explained one distressed driver, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation.

He added that the situation is getting worse and called on the government to take urgent action.

“Cadres show up at the stations as early as 06:00 hours just to collect free money — money they haven’t worked for,” he said.

The harassment is not just a safety concern; it’s also an economic burden. Drivers cited examples such as being forced to pay K5 for a “chipyango” (broom) at each station, and more than K10 when picking up passengers at bus stations and designated stops.

Another conductor shared how they are often harassed if they hesitate or resist to pay.

“We have no option — we just have to give them the money when they demand it. If we show any reluctance, they go as far as assaulting us and taking the money by force,” he said.

Commuters, too, are bearing the brunt of the harassment. Many reported that cadres often create chaos at stations and on buses.

“They cause confusion — sometimes fights break out on buses, and we are delayed because of the disruptions,” said one commuter.

The president of the Commuters Rights Association of Zambia (CRAZ), Aaron Kamuti, has condemned the illegal collection of money from bus operators by youths at bus stations, labelling them as criminals rather than political cadres.

“These so-called cadres are not cadres—they’re criminals extorting money,” Kamuti said, adding that the charges are eventually passed on to commuters in the form of inflated fares, especially during peak hours on roads like Freedom Way.

Kamuti described the practice as “total mischief” and called for immediate enforcement of existing laws. He said his organisation is currently engaging the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure police take control of areas where such extortion is common.

Drivers say these illegal acts have a negative impact on their businesses. They said due to this daily extortion, their take-home pay reduces, affecting their ability to support themselves and their families. They have since asked the police to crack down on cadres and make sure that no one is in the streets. They emphasised the need for the cadres to be arrested for their activities, serving as a deterrent to others.

When asked why they don’t report these youths to the police, one driver said, “I can’t report something the police already know about and are doing nothing to stop”. Another added that he’s afraid of being chased away from where they operate if he speaks out.

But police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said arrests can only be made if the cadres are formally reported to the police.

The ruling United Party for National Development ignored MakanDay’s attempts to obtain a comment. Visits to the party secretariat, phone calls, and messages to both the party’s media consultant and Secretary General, Batuke Imenda, went unanswered.

Joana is on a three-month internship at MakanDay after winning the inaugural MakanDay Award for Overall Best Student in Specialised Reporting at the ZAMCOM 7th Graduation Ceremony.