Calm restored in Mamelodi after bus violence

The Mamelodi township east of Pretoria was calm yesterday following violence over bus routes on which the Putco bus company previously operated, the Tshwane Metro police said.

“Police will maintain a strong presence until the normal situation is fully restored. There has been no violent incidents so far,” said spokesperson Superintendent Isaac Mahamba.

Five people, including a bus driver, were injured after they were shot at inside a bus on Friday as taxi operators refused to allow the new operator, Autopax, to take over the lucrative routes.

On Wednesday, an Autopax bus was stoned, allegedly by taxi drivers, as it left the depot in Mamelodi. The taxi operators demanded government implement a subsidy for taxis as it did with Putco, and that they be allowed to operate on the routes left by Putco.

Mahamba could not confirm media reports that more than 20 taxis were impounded yesterday for operating without permits.

Earlier this year, the government-subsidised Putco confirmed its intention to stop its operations in several areas around Gauteng, saying the routes were not financially viable.

The Gauteng transport department then negotiated with Putco to continue providing services until June 30. Putco therefore did not renew eight contracts and government was forced to step in to ensure continuation of services to commuters in the interim.

Autopax bus service, operated by state-owned Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa), was contracted by the department to take over the routes for three months.

Police had been escorting buses after the shooting. –