SOME bus commuters were left stranded while others had to run for their lives as amaphela operators allegedly set alight three buses on Thursday, 24 March.
Amaphela drivers were accused of burning two other buses and government-owned vehicles last week after their Toyota Avanza taxis were impounded by the City of Cape Town law enforcement officials and traffic cops.
Residents from Lusaka Nyanga along Klipfontein road, where one of the buses was attacked, said they heard people screaming in the morning.
“They were screaming for help while the bus was on fire, but they escaped. It was a terrible picture. You could see that passengers were our mothers, but someone still decided to attack a bus carrying innocent people,” said a resident.
Golden Arrow bus spokeswoman Bronwen Dyke-Beyer confirmed that three of their buses were set alight in Nyanga, Philippi East and Kraaifontein.
“At least four passengers were injured, but we are awaiting more updates. We condemn these acts of violence. Our passengers and employees must be able to travel safely and authorities must fulfil their constitutional mandate,” she said.
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Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said circumstances surrounding the violence were being investigated and arrests were yet to be made.
“Heightened security measures will be maintained until stability has been restored,” said Swartbooi.
But Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association secretary Mandla Hermanus said the burning of buses had been ongoing.
“It is easy to say it’s the taxi people when it is not us. There are hooligans in the townships who wake up when there is a strike, just to cause problems.”
Hundreds of taxi drivers and owners have demanded to speak to Premier Alan Winde, complaining about their vehicles being impounded.
What angered them was that when they paid fines for the impounded taxi, cops demanded them to pay all tickets related.
