Commuters face bus strike chaos
THOUSANDS of bus commuters will be left stranded as employees in the industry will go on a nationwide strike following a deadlock in negotiations between unions and employers.
Yesterday, taxi associations said they were bracing themselves for long queues as bus commuters scramble for alternative transport.
The strike came after the employers and unions could not reach an agreement over the annual wage increase.
The unions demand a 12% increase while the employers proposed 7%.
Messages warning bus commuters across the country to make alternative arrangements were circulated on social platforms since last week.
The MyCiTi bus service and Golden Arrow Bus Services urged commuters to find alternative transport.
SA Transport and Allied Workers Union spokesperson Zanele Sabela said: “The national bus strike will go ahead tomorrow (today) as planned. The strike could have been prevented if employers didn’t pull out from an anticipated meeting which was planned last week.
“The employers were angry, after they were served with a notice that bus drivers will embark on strike action tomorrow (today). The unions used this time to co-ordinate the strike.”
Sabela said workers would be picketing at various bus depots from about 5.30am.
The Congress for Democratic Taxi Associations’ Andile Khayi called on the parties to find an amicable solution as soon as possible.
POLICE watchdog the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has launched a probe after a police officer stationed at Claremont allegedly raped a woman he had offered a lift.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said a case of rape was registered for investigation on Monday and has since been referred to Ipid.
Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini confirmed the case and added that they were also investigating theft charges.
The officer was investigating a criminal case the woman had opened, according to Dlamini. He said the officer had been driving an official vehicle.
Dlamini said the officer allegedly stole R1000 from the woman before raping her last Wednesday.
“The woman went to the police station this week Monday and reported the rape and theft incident. Investigations continue,” he said.
This comes as senior police officer Tobias Prins, 56, stationed at Lentegeur, is expected to appear at the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court on a rape charge on Friday. It is alleged he and another officer, Julian Salie, raped a 21-year-old woman in Beacon Valley last year.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesperson Richard Mamabolo condemned violence against women.
“Any abuse of females is unacceptable, regardless of whatever position those in power hold. If these allegations are proven to be true, this regrettable act sets us back in the fight against woman and child abuse in our country.
“Wherever it happens, those individuals should face the consequences.”
Advocacy group Ilitha Labantu said it was unacceptable that police officers behave in the same manner as the criminals that they ought to be protecting people from.
“We need greater accountability for such actions. Many laws are in place to protect the dignity of women and children, but we lack the action needed to enforce these laws,” said Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali.
“There should be better monitoring mechanisms in the SAPS… Police are often the first point of contact when people seek assistance. It’s sad those who are entrusted with the role to protect abuse use their powers to do unjust acts.
“These actions are an indication that we have a long way to go towards eliminating violence against women.”
Sonke Gender Justice policy development and advocacy specialist Marike Keller said: “We live in a country with staggeringly high rates of violence, often taking place at the hands of those we trust most.
“This continuous system of violence has largely eroded the trust in those who are meant to protect us, which is a terrifying thought.”