Day 2 of SANTACO strike sees more buses torched, Eskom vehicle petrol bombed; SAPS on high-alert

Sporadic incidents of violence has been reported in parts of the Cape on Friday morning, following the announcement that SANTACO willembark on a stay away until next Wednesday.

Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) confirmed that one of their bus drivers was shot and wounded and the vehicle set alight in Khayelitsha, on Friday morning.

Spokesperson, Bronwen Dyke-Beyer says its Nyanga services are operating from Borcherds Quarry, and the Khayelitsha services are operating from Mew Way Bridge and Corners of Spine Road and N2.

"Unfortunately, we will not be able to confirm whether each scheduled bus will operate as it normally does, but our aim is to provide as much coverage as possible. We will continue to operate until as many passengers as possible have been assisted. Delays are to be expected," said Dyke-Beyer.

Bus driver shot in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
The taxi industry is a political connected crime syndicate.
Remember that Cele called the strike, blood is on his hands.#TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/1zjFngiWnt

— AgentLeon (@AgentLeonV3) August 4, 2023

Furthermore, Incidents of burning tyres in Atlantis, Bloekombos, Witsand and Borcherd’s Quarry, as well as a vehicle alight in Langa were also reported.

Earlier on Friday, the N2 was closed but has since reopened, following reports of public violence between Hazeldene & Onverwacht Road.

The City’s Traffic Service’s Kevin Jacobs further confirming that the N7 at Plattekloof & Malibongwe Drive in both directions, has been reopened following earlier reports of stone throwing.

Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, says bus services such as MyCiti and Golden Arrow are being escorted by law enforcement services

‘’ We continue to maintain a high visibility presence in all hotspot areas, working closely with SAPS to monitor for, and respond to any incidents that occur. Escorts of bus services are continuing, to ensure a safe passage for commuters.’’

‘’The events that have unfolded since yesterday afternoon only serve to confirm that the taxi industry has no regard for anyone.  The callous attacks on other public transport vehicles, infrastructure and road users have sadly become an all too familiar part of their playbook,’’ he added.

Smith called on anyone with information about the instigators behind these attacks and disruptions, to report it to the City’s toll-free tip off line, on 0800 11 00 77.

‘’Tips can be shared anonymously, and the City also offers rewards of up to R5000 for credible information that leads to arrests or convictions. Should you witness any incident that requires an emergency response, please call our Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700,’’ said JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security.

Eskom confirmed that one of its vehicles was petrol bombed in the early hours of Friday in Khayelitsha, following the Cape Town taxi strike.

COURTESY: Eskom

The Eskom employee driving the vehicle was off duty at the time of the incident. Eskom security team is investigating the incident.’’

Meanwhile, Eskom services have been suspended in Khayelitsha, Delft, Belhar, Du Noon, Philippi, and Fisantekraal.

"Eskom will exercise extreme caution when delivering services to other Eskom supply areas. Eskom urges customers to remain patient and follow the channels made available to log a fault," said Kyle Cookson, Eskom Western Cape spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Western Cape police says SAPS and other law enforcement agencies are out in full force ‘’to maintain law and order unconditionally’’. The police’s Andre Traut said a special focus will be on all affected areas such as Harare, Khayelitsha and Langa, with special emphasis on the City Centre to ensure that no disruption takes place.

‘’Several incidents of public violence have been recorded where busses, trucks and private vehicles have been torched and stoned in Khayelitsha, Harare, Wynberg, Atlantis, Hout Bay and Milnerton and elsewhere in the Peninsula,’’ said Colonel Andrè Traut.

‘’All the incidents of public violence reported since yesterday are under police investigation in a bid to bring the perpetrators to book. CCTV footage, forensic evidence and other leads are being pursued in this regard,’’ he added.

Traut urged anyone who has fell victim of a crime associated with the strike action, to report the incident to police, so that the circumstances can be investigated.

‘’It is our warning that the public should also be vigilant at all times and apply the necessary personal protection.  SAPS would like to ensure the Western Cape community that our members will remain on high alert and deployed to bring to an end any acts of violence that may threaten their safety. We will not tolerate any acts of criminality and in the event of crime taking place, our officials will not hesitate to take decisive action,’’ said Colonel Andrè Traut.

 

Done By: Mitchum George