Cape Town - A Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) driver suffered head injuries when four buses and a City vehicle were torched in Nyanga and Philippi on Thursday.
This, apparently after City Law Enforcement officers impounded Avanza taxis in the areas.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said Saps will remain in the area until calm was restored.
“Public Order Police, supported by Nyanga SAPS and Metro Police are currently monitoring a situation in the Nyanga area where several buses and vehicles were set alight, by yet-to-be-identified suspects.
“The City of Cape Town Traffic Services assisted by Nyanga Saps and Law Enforcement conducted a compliance operation early this morning, Thursday, August 25 that focussed on illegal sedan taxis,” said Swartbooi.
GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer, confirmed that three buses were petrol bombed on Govan Mbeki and Emms Drive at around 9:30am, while a fourth bus was set alight on Eisleben and Sheffield.
“Information available to us currently would seem to link this to a traffic operation earlier today in the area in which a number of taxis were impounded.
“This brazen violence is unacceptable and we call on the authorities to fulfill their mandate to ensure the safety of our drivers and passengers,” said Dyke-Beyer.
City’s Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs said all services were on scene, and the City’s Fire and Rescue Service extinguished all the burning vehicles.
“The City’s Traffic Service confirms that five vehicles have been set alight in the Nyanga area this morning – four Golden Arrow buses and one City truck. There are reports that some passengers were injured in one of the attacks, but SAPS or EMS would be best placed to confirm. Currently, no roads are closed, but the City advises motorists to be cautious when traveling through the area,” said Jacobs.
Cape Times