Members of the Nyanga Community Policing Forum have lambasted the attack on Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) and motorists in and around Nyanga on Friday 11 March.
At least two Golden Arrow Buses and two vehicles were set alight, while several vehicles were damaged.
Nyanga CPF secretary Dumisani Qwebe reported it is alleged that the protest was linked to the taxi strike. Neither police nor the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) could confirm the claims.
Nyanga Police Station commander Brig Vuyisile Ncata said no arrests have been made but police were following some vital leads. He didn’t confirm or deny that the incident is linked to the taxi strike.
“It is difficult to conclude that it was linked to the taxi strike. However we are suspecting that as well,” said Ncata.
Efforts to get a word from CATA were futile. CATA spokesperson Mandla Hermanus did not answer his cellphone and also failed to respond to a WhatsApp message sent to him by City Vision.
Meanwhile Qwebe said the attacks put people’s lives at risk and should be condemned. “Whoever is behind the strike must remember that the drivers are our brothers and sisters. And the commuters our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and uncles. And it might happen that the one who is throwing a petrol bomb at the bus has a relative inside,” he stated.
Qwebe added there are amicable ways to resolve differences. He said it is worrying that every time people have differences they opt to damage community infrastructure and other essential services.
GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer confirmed that two Golden Arrow Buses and two company vehicles were set alight in Nyanga. “According to eyewitnesses the perpetrators are alleged to be linked to the taxi industry. We condemn these senseless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms,” said Dyke-Beyer, who said the driver of the bus at Nyanga Terminus was assaulted, while in the second incident the driver sustained burn wounds when a petrol bomb was thrown through the window. “The first bus and a bakkie were at the terminus. The second bakkie was Emms Drive near Mapindi Butchery. And the second bus was at NY1 by Eskom,” explained Beyer, adding that there was also failed petrol bombing attempt on Saturday morning.
