About 100 gatvol Philippi East residents took to the streets early Thursday morning to protest for better services in the area.
It’s understood residents are aggrieved due to a lack of electricity and water in parts of the community.
A Golden Arrow Bus transporting staff was stoned and torched during which a driver was robbed and another suffered a neck injury.
Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer says the incident occurred on the corner of Govan Mbeki Road and New Eisleben Road: “When our bus turned the corner, the driver found large stones had been placed in the road, he attempted to reverse, but unknown assailants pelted the bus with stones.”
She says the three fearful drivers fled the scene.
“The bus was then set alight and has been completely gutted,” says Bronwen.
She says it will cost R2.4 million to replace the bus, which will likely lead to a fare hike.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa says cops also came under attack when they were pelted with stones, and that protesters set fire to a container operating as a business.
She says a total of 20 suspects were arrested in Philippi East and Kraaifontein on charges of public violence.
Metro Police spokesperson Ruth Solomons says rubble and tyres were set alight, but calm was restored in the community by the afternoon: “The area is currently quiet and being cleaned.”
The Nyanga Community Policing Forum’s Dumisani Qwebe says setting things alight is not helping their cause.
“I understand their frustration, but our residents should rather opt to engage the authorities to raise awareness instead of destroying property, because this will take time to restore and deprive us.”
Violent protests have erupted in several areas including Mfuleni, Hout Bay, and Khayelitsha.
lizell.persens@inl.co.za