Pretoria municipal public transport has been suspended following violence that broke out in the CBD on Tuesday afternoon.
A taxi driver was shot dead leading to a flare up of violent protest and disruption of traffic on Wednesday morning.
Apparently, there was a clash between taxi operators and alleged drug dealers.
Tshwane roads and transport MMC Sheila Senkubuge said A Re Yeng and Tshwane bus services (TBS) operations would be suspended as a result, until further notice.
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“Public transport operations in the CBD came to a halt as eight vehicles were seized by disgruntled participants after a shooting took place,” she said.
“The shooting is reported to have incited the riots, which lead to two A Re Yeng buses, three TBS buses, a Gautrain bus and two trucks being used by the rioters to block roads.”
Senkubuge said the suspension of all public transport operations was a preventative move influenced by the alleged planned citywide shutdown by taxi operators in a fight against drug dealers in Tshwane.
She appealed for calm and urged Tshwane residents, the taxi industry and all stakeholders to exercise restraint and to allow law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to book.
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“The department of roads and transport is duty-bound to prioritise the safety of commuters and residents. The suspension is a precautionary measure to safeguard city assets and prevent vandalism against the same,” said Senkubuge.
Tshwane apologises for the inconvenience caused by the disruption to public transport in the CBD and the scheduled suspension of public transport operations.
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