Tshwane suspends bus service due to ‘violent strike’

Tshwane metro has suspended its municipal bus service and A Re Yeng operations for the remainder of the day, due to the taxi strike.  

Members affiliated to the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) went on a nationwide strike on Wednesday, that affected traffic on some major routes and in which several private motorists were attacked.  

Earlier on Wednesday, a female bus driver was hijacked in The Orchards area and later released, while another driver was assaulted in front of the C de Wet depot in the Pretoria CBD.  

ALSO READ: Tshwane bus driver hijacked amid taxi strike

The driver suffered internal injuries and was rushed to the Belle Ombre clinic for treatment.

  In a statement, Tshwane metro said a decision was taken to recall all the buses back to the depot for the protection of their assets as well as the safety of both the drivers and the commuters.

  Tshwane MMC for roads and transport Dikeledi Selowa said the metro had intended to resume bus operations in the afternoon but decided otherwise, due to the violent nature of the strike.

“This was a very difficult decision to take, however, we had to take into consideration the safety of our drivers as well as that of our valued commuters, and also the protection of our assets.

We wish to apologise profusely to our commuters for the inconvenience caused and urge them to make alternative travel arrangements,” she said.

“We condemn the despicable actions of the protesting taxi drivers and we hope that law enforcement will do what it is supposed to do and protect our residents,” Selowa said.

Buses should resume operations tomorrow morning.  

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