More violence erupts in Tshwane after permanent court order

Tshwane’s intention of carrying on with bus operations after the two-month-long hiatus was once again met with violence, as violent attacks were registered on its properties and fleet on Thursday, as well as yesterday.

Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba says two Tshwane Bus Services buses were attacked while on their way back to the depot. He explains the buses had been travelling on Kgosi Mampuru Street (between Pretorius and WF Nkomo streets) when they came under attack.

“Forty-seven buses were dispatched for the morning shift to ferry commuters from various parts of the city. Windows and windscreens of the buses were damaged and the doors were broken after being pelted with stones and objects. Fortunately, there were no commuters on board those buses.”

Bokaba says the metro had now taken a decision to withdraw all the buses until further notice.

He adds that two of Tshwane’s electricians, based at Fortsig depot in Pretoria West, were also attacked by a group of people after refuelling the municipality’s vehicle.

“The truck’s windows were smashed after it was hurled with various objects. One of the employees was injured and rushed to hospital and the other one did not sustain any injuries. One water truck was set on fire and two waste trucks were stoned.”

Bokaba says the Tshwane headquarters in the Tshwane CBD were damaged by perpetrators during a protest action held by members of the EFF on Thursday.

Five arrested following violence

“Ten windows were broken when rocks and other assortments were thrown at the building. Five of the windows are along Lilian Ngoyi Street while the other five are located at the executive mayor’s office side.”

He says five people are expected to appear in court on Monday following their arrest in connection with malicious damage to property. Bokaba states the suspects are in detention at the Pretoria Central Police Station.

City manager Johann Mettler condemns ‘this cowardly violent act’ on the assets and vowed to hunt down the perpetrators behind this latest incident. “I wish to commend the police for acting swiftly yesterday (Thursday) by arresting the suspects who allegedly broke the windows of Tshwane House. They will spend the weekend behind bars for their behaviour. We will hunt down those who damaged our buses and bring them to book,” Mettler says.

Bus service remains suspended

He says commuters should continue to arrange alternative means as they had been doing and would be kept up to date about bus operations and developments.

Tshwane had earlier this week confirmed that its two bus services would resume operations ahead of October 1, following the two-month-long strike that restricted drivers to their depots.

Due to the violent and unlawful strikes in the metro, bus operations halted after buses were pelted by stones and drivers intimidated by disgruntled Tshwane employees allegedly aligned to the Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union and South African Municipal Workers’ Union.

Tshwane had previously announced the resumption of service on September 13 but this turned out to be a false start. The city was forced to suspend the resumption claiming that no commuters were willing to use the services due to the prevailing strike.

The metro was later given the green light to continue running the two transport revenue streams when the Labour Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, called for the destruction and violence in the metro to cease after weeks of fire and brimstone.

On September 15, the court made its interim interdict of July 28 permanent giving Tshwane a one-up against its striking employees, however, the violence has continued spilling past the order date by the courts.