Passengers or Prisoners? The Battle for Public Transport Freedom

Nhlangano – The bustling bus rank, meant to be a gateway for travellers, has become a battleground where passengers are coerced, cornered and sometimes even physically dragged into vehicles they never intended to board. The culprits? The Baholeli—self-appointed transport marshals who dictate which buses and quantums commuters must take, often prioritizing their own interests over passenger choice.

For many travellers, the journey begins not with selecting their preferred ride, but with a tug-of-war for their freedom.

“I Felt Like a Hostage”

Bongani Hlatshwayo, a frequent commuter, recounts his harrowing experience at the rank.

“I wanted to take a bus straight to Mbabane, but before I could even get my bearings, a Baholeli snatched my bags and shoved them into a quantum headed for Manzini,” he recalls, his voice still laced with frustration. “I protested, but he refused to return my belongings. In the end, I was forced to take the quantum, paying double the fare—one trip from Nhlangano to Mhlaleni and another from Mhlaleni to Mbabane. It wasn’t just unfair; it was daylight robbery.”

Bongani’s ordeal is far from unique. Many passengers report being treated like commodities rather than customers, their preferences ignored in the mad scramble to fill seats.

Fear, Intimidation and the Business of Control

A few feet away, another commuter, Nomvula Dlamini, watches the chaotic scene unfold, shaking her head.

“Sometimes, you don’t even get a chance to say where you’re going,” she says. “They push you, they grab you—some even pull you by the arm. If you refuse, they hurl insults, making you feel small. It’s not about transport anymore; it’s about power and control.”

Despite the public outcry, the Baholeli defend their actions.

“Our job is to ensure quantums leave quickly,” admits Marakhi Dlamini, a Baholeli who has worked at the rank for three years. “If a bus arrives before all the quantums are full, passengers will prefer the bus and we lose business. So, we have to be aggressive to make sure we don’t lose money.”

Is It Legal? Experts Weigh In

Legal experts argue that this practice is not just unethical—it may also be illegal.

“Passengers have the fundamental right to choose their mode of transport,” says Thandie Simelane, a lawyer specializing in consumer rights. “Forcing someone into a vehicle against their will amounts to harassment. In some cases, it could even be considered unlawful detention.”

Despite mounting complaints, authorities have yet to put a firm stop to the practice. Many passengers, out of fear or resignation, do not report these incidents.

A Call for Action

For now, the bus rank remains a place of uncertainty—a space where passengers must be as alert as pickpockets, not just for their belongings, but for their right to travel freely. Until stronger measures are enforced, commuters remain at the mercy of the Baholeli—trapped in a system where choice is a privilege, not a right.