Xolani Koyana
COMMUTER bus company Golden Arrow has expressed concern about the safety of its drivers and passengers after 60 commuters were robbed during a bus trip near Hanover Park.
The company’s spokeswoman, Bronwen Dyke, said such attacks on its buses were a concern because the lives of drivers and passengers were at risk.
“Obviously, we are concerned about such incidents and for the safety of our drivers and passengers. We are offering a public service and we cannot cut off certain areas.”
She said the company couldn’t discriminate against some passengers and say they can’t be admitted on (the bus) because they are criminals.
“We work on routes approved by the government. We work closely with the police to identify (crime) hot spots and places where there are incidents of stone-throwing,” Dyke said.
She classed Friday’s robbery as “an isolated incident” as a majority of Golden Arrow trips were safe.
The robbery happened at about 4.30pm as the bus, travelling from Mitchells Plain to Claremont, passed through Hanover Park. Dyke said the bus picked up three robbers.
“They intended to rob people. From the account of passengers, someone refused to give up their cellphone and a shot was fired through the window.
“The person then gave up the phone,” Dyke said.
When the gunmen disembarked, the driver contacted Golden Arrow’s control room before driving to the police station, she said.
Early last month, a Golden Arrow bus driver was robbed of cash on the corner of Bonga Drive and Jafta K Masemola Road in Khayelitsha.
In February, a Khayelitsha resident, Bulelwa Thoza, told community group GroundUp of how six men who pretended to be passengers, travelling from Bellville to Khayelitsha, held commuters at gunpoint.
She was stabbed twice as she tried to fight them off.
In April, a 41-year-old driver, transporting people from the V&A Waterfront to Khayelitsha, was killed when a group of men in Crossroads opened fire on the bus to force it to stop.