Cost of #FeesMustFall protest goes higher as burnt Rea Vaya bus set to cost R3 million to replace
BRAAMFONTEIN - The City of Johannesburg may fork out millions to replace a Rea Vaya bus that was torched amidst the FeesMustFall protest.
The city of Johannesburg (COJ) has condemned the burning of a Rea Vaya bus after it was torched in Braamfontein on 25 October. In a statement released by the City’s Mayor Herman Mashaba, to replace the bus with a new one will cost R3.3 million. “I have grown increasingly concerned by the lack of arrests in the face of acts of pure criminality. If you damage property, if you loot, if you commit any criminal activity, you must be arrested. I have requested MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, to ensure that JMPD are prepared to respond to any criminal activity should it happen, as required of the JMPD by the National Police Services Act,” Mashaba said.
The City of Joburg is confirms that a Rea Vaya C4 bus was torched in Braamfontein this evening. There are no… https://t.co/Dscoqe4kdm
— Rea Vaya Bus Transit (@ReaVayaBus) October 25, 2016
C4 bus is delayed due to one of our bus being burned in Braamfontein.^BM https://t.co/FWAzuQpdLO
— Rea Vaya Bus Transit (@ReaVayaBus) October 25, 2016
Communication Specialist from the City Virgil James explained that all municipal assets were insured but that it was the ratepayer who would ultimately foot the bill. “Even if the bus is replaced the insurance premium will increase and ultimately it is the ratepayer who will pay,” he said.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Kay Makhubela said that police were still investigating the fire and have opened a case of malicious damage to property. He added that video footage was recovered and showed who set the bus alight but could not confirm whether it was protesting Wits students.
In total, a police van from Parkview police station and a Wits bus were also torched shortly before the Rea Vaya bus was burnt.
