Intercape bus attacks: DA WC welcomes High Court dismissing Mbalula appeal
11 January 2023
The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the High Court ruling dismissing Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula’s application for leave to appeal the court order that he develop and implement a plan to secure the safety and security of passengers and drivers of long-distance bus company, Intercape.
The long-distance bus industry has been terrorised and subjected to over 150 cases of extortion, intimidation, and violence in the last three years allegedly by some elements in the mini-bus taxi industry. Minister Mbalula was instructed by the courts to take proactive measures to stop attacks on buses owned by Intercape.
However, instead of doing his duty, Minister Mbalula callously appealed the ruling ordering him and the Eastern Cape's MEC for Transport to work with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to develop a strategy to avoid violent attacks on long-distance buses.
MPP Ricardo Mackenzie says, “I am delighted that the Eastern Cape High Court has recognised Minister Mbalula's refusal to work with the relevant authorities and government institutions like provincial authorities and SAPS to address the extortion crisis in the transport industry.