Plea for info on bus, train attacks

THE City has seen a spike in the number of attacks on MyCiTi buses, with eight incidents reported in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain at the weekend.

The stoning incidents along the N2 Express routes were in all likelihood related to efforts to assist rail commuters left stranded due to the service disruptions on the Metrorail Central Line, according to the City.

“The sabotage of public transport services in the Metro south-east has reached unprecedented levels. The Metrorail Central Line has experienced severe disruptions over the past few weeks and is currently temporarily suspended. It seems that criminals are now also focusing on destabilising the MyCiTi bus service,” said Mmayco member for transport and urban development Brett Herron.

“We have never before had so many attacks on our buses in one weekend. Most disturbingly, one of our passengers was injured and had glass splinters removed from his eyes,” he said.

The incidents happened on Friday and Saturday night while the buses were driving along the N2 opposite Langa, along AZ Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain, and in Site C, Khayelitsha.

“Nine windows and one windscreen were smashed during these attacks. Apart from the cost to replace the windows, the buses will be out of service for at least three to four days while the repairs are being done – this at a time when we need all of the resources at our disposal to meet the passenger demand,” added Herron.

He said criminals were “hell-bent” on bringing public transport in the Metro southeast to a complete halt.

“I deplore these senseless attacks. We cannot allow criminal elements to bring public transport on the Cape Flats to a halt. I urge the police to investigate these incidents as a matter of urgency.

“I am also appealing to our residents to please report suspicious activities.”

Anyone with information about these incidents can contact the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63.