Western Cape Government condemns attack on Intercape buses

5 December 2022

The Western Cape Government strongly condemns the recent attack on yet another Intercape Bus Company.

On Sunday, a gunman opened fire on an Intercape bus on Jakes Gerwel Drive as the bus was on route to the CBD long distance rank where it was to load passengers.

The driver was shot and injured and is recovering in hospital. Two other occupants in the bus were unharmed. 

Since the reported spike in attacks on Intercape buses, the Western Cape Government has taken steps to ensure that the matter is brought to the attention of relevant authorities in the security and enforcement environment for the urgent coordination of investigations and interventions. We activated court watching briefs to monitor court cases linked to attacks on public transport operators across the province.

In August, Premier Alan Winde wrote to President Ramaphosa to request an urgent meeting and coordinated intervention at national level to combat extortion and racketeering in the public transport sector. President Ramaphosa referred the matter to the security cluster Ministers but we still await action on the part of the Minister of Police, who was tasked with convening this crucial and urgent engagement.

Premier Alan Winde lamented: “These cowardly acts of violence must be met with decisive action. Apart from a thorough police investigation, as the Western Cape Government we will continue to exert pressure on national government, specifically the President and his Transport Minister, to prioritise addressing the violence that continues to mar the long-distance bus industry.

Public transport is already in a shocking state generally, we cannot allow criminals to bring anarchy to the bus industry too. Tens of thousands of citizens will be taking to the roads in the coming days. They deserve safe transport. I will be meeting with Intercape management this week. We will offer them support wherever we can.”

Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell said: “We condemn these criminal acts in the strongest terms. The continued brazen attacks on long distance buses constitute organised crime, perpetrated by a criminal element. I have instructed our officials to check and verify all long distance bus operating licences and to impound all vehicles that are operating without- or contrary to the conditions of operating licences.

I have reiterated my instruction to Provincial Traffic to monitor long distance bus operations and, with the support of the SAPS, be on the lookout for any ‘patrol vehicles’ that illegally stop and extort buses and other private vehicles along key routes between the Western Cape and neighbouring provinces.

The Western Cape Government will not condone criminal acts of extortion, will not negotiate with - nor try to appease criminals, and will not allow the rule of law to be compromised. Our first priority will always be to ensure the safety of commuters - and we will support every effort to root out the small criminal element that seeks to hijack the public transport industry for their own criminal agenda.” 

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen: “These attacks are blatant and a clear attempt to destabalise the long-distance bus industry. Criminals that have little to no regard for life should be behind bars and I call on all law enforcement agencies to arrest those responsible for this attack.

I also urge anyone with information that will assist in the apprehension of the suspects to make it available to law enforcement. We have activated our Court Watching Briefs to monitor the previous case. It’s concerning that the previous matter has been postponed and that the alleged perpetrator is currently out on bail of R1000.00. He is due to back in court on 21 February 2023.

Just as we cannot allow perpetrators to get away with these crimes, we will hold SAPS accountable should there be any shortcomings in how they investigate or handle these cases. We should all play our role to ensure safety for commuters and all citizens in general.”

Issued by Regan Thaw, Media Liaison Officer: Office of the Premier, 5 December 2022