Bus driver slain in robbery
A GOLDEN Arrow bus driver was killed in Nyanga in an apparent robbery at the weekend.
The City has called for the swift arrest of those responsible for the murder. Mayoral committee member for transport and urban development Brett Herron called on police to investigate.
“I am shocked and sickened by this senseless attack,” said Herron.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk confirmed the incident. “This office can confirm that the circumstances surrounding a murder case are being investigated after a bus driver was shot and killed which caused the bus to crash into two houses in Zwelitsha, Nyanga East on Saturday afternoon. Nobody else was injured.
“No one has been arrested as yet,” he said. Golden Arrow condemned the incident. “Our driver succumbed to his injuries on the scene. We condemn this senseless act in the strongest possible terms and we will do everything in our power to assist the police to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime,
“We would like to send our most sincere condolences to his family during this very difficult time. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one our own and he will be sorely missed by his colleagues,” said Golden Arrows Spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer.
The bus driver’s murder followed the attack made on MyCiTi and Golden Arrow buses last Monday, during the taxi strike. Protesters set alight a MyCiTi bus on the N2, torched a Golden Arrow bus in Delft and stoned several other Golden Arrow buses.
Two passengers, including a pregnant commuter, were injured.
Herron urged police to investigate these incidents with the necessary vigour. “We cannot allow criminals to undermine and sabotage our public transport system. It is already taking strain due to the unreliability of commuter rail services. Over the past two to three years, our critical but ailing commuter rail system has also endured relentless attacks and vandalism.
“These have left the Metrorail service limping along, with devastating consequences for our commuters and our city’s economy,” said Herron.
He also touched on the plight faced by Metrorail due to vandalism. “The latest data indicate there were 2.7 million fewer rail journeys in Cape Town per month in 2016/17 when compared with 2015/16. This confirms that a significant number of commuters have already transferred to road-based transport – be it in private vehicles, or road-based public transport such as minibus taxis or buses,” he said. “All our residents must join us in condemning the violent attacks.