Commuters were stranded yesterday evening after Golden Arrow Bus Services yesterday took the drastic step to limit services after a one of their drivers was shot in the face.
GABS urged commuters to make alternative travelling arrangements after the driver was attacked on the N2 near Borcherds Quarry, and said it believed the incident to be related to the ongoing taxi violence.
This was the third attack on buses in just 24 hours after Sunday’s shootings in Gugulethu and Nyanga.
The attacks on the only available form of public transport in Cape Town follows a spate of murders which left eight taxi drivers dead last week.
The violence comes after an urgent meeting between Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, Provincial Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell, Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz and representatives of Codeta and Cata on Friday and Saturday that proved fruitless.
The two taxi associations are at war over the Paarl/Mbekweni to Bellville route.
Not Codeta nor Cata would be operating until the bloody dispute is resolved, their representatives have said.
The bus driver was shot in the mouth at 6.30am as he was transporting workers.
Pictures of the man with blood streaming down his chest were shared on social media.
In a 30-second video, shocked commuters are seen rushing to get out of the bus before the camera focuses on the driver who is standing in front of the bus.
GABS spokesperson John Dammert says the incident was reported to SAPS and the driver is receiving medical attention.
“No passengers were injured. Intelligence reports suggest that this incident could be related to the ongoing violence in the taxi industry,” he says.
Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi explains the unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
Yesterday afternoon GABS asked commuters to make other travelling arrangements.
“Following the shooting incident that occurred this morning and further threats and intimidation having been made via social media, the normal GABS service schedule has regrettably been disrupted,” they said.
“Due to this disruption, reduced services will be operated to avoid any risks to the security and safety of passengers and staff.
“Passengers are requested to make alternative arrangements and further communication regarding the restoration of normal services will be timeously communicated.”
Premier Alan Winde said he held urgent talks with the mayors of Cape Town and Drakenstein yesterday to address the taxi violence.
The Western Cape’s Department of Transport and Public Works, as the “regulator”, continues to provide a space for the two associations to meet, through an independent mediation process, he said.
“This is in addition to pursuing an interdict in the Western Cape High Court against illegal operations by either association along disputed routes, as well as the gazetting of an intention to close certain routes, in terms of national legislation,” he added.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za