Spike in attacks on MyCiTi buses as criminals sabotage public transport in Metro South-east
Eight MyCiTi buses were attacked in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain over the past weekend. The spike in stoning incidents along the N2 Express routes is in all likelihood related to our efforts to assist rail commuters who are left stranded due to the service disruptions on the Metrorail Central Line. Read more below:
‘The sabotage of public transport services in the Metro South-east has reached unprecedented levels. The Metrorail Central Line has experienced severe disruptions the past few weeks, and is currently temporarily suspended. It seems that criminals are now also focusing on destabilising the MyCiTi bus service.
‘Up to eight stoning incidents took place along the N2 Express routes in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain on Friday and Saturday. We have never before had so many attacks on our buses on one weekend. Most disturbingly, one of our passengers was injured and had glass splinters removed from his eyes,’ said the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development, Councillor Brett Herron.
The stoning incidents happened on Friday and Saturday evening while the buses were driving along the N2 freeway opposite Langa, along AZ Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain, and in Site C in Khayelitsha.
‘Nine windows and one windscreen were smashed during these attacks. Apart from the cost to replace the windows, the buses will be out of service for at least three to four days while the repairs are being done – this in a time when we need all of the resources at our disposal to meet the passenger demand.