Tshwane suspends restart of bus operations again
The violence in Tshwane has still not subsided after two-months as buses and staff were attacked on Thursday and Friday.
The resumption of Tshwane bus operations after a two-month-long hiatus was once again met with violence.
On Thursday and Friday, violent attacks were registered on Tshwane metro property and fleet.
Spokesperson Selby Bokaba said two Tshwane bus services (TBS) buses were attacked on Kgosi Mampuru Street (between Pretorius and WF Nkomo streets) on their way back to the depot.
“About 47 buses were dispatched for the morning shift to ferry commuters from various parts of the city,” he said.
“Windows and windscreens of the buses were damaged and the doors were broken as they were pelted with stones and other objects.
“Fortunately, there were no commuters onboard,” he added.
Bokaba said the metro had now decided to withdraw all the buses until further notice.
He said two Tshwane electricians, based at Fortsig depot in Pretoria West, were also attacked by a group of people as they refuelled a municipal vehicle.
“The truck’s windows were smashed when various objects were hurled at it.
“One employee was injured and rushed to hospital while the other did not sustain any injury.
“A water tanker was set on fire and two waste trucks were stoned.”
Bokaba said on Thursday (September 28), Tshwane headquarters in the Pretoria CBD were damaged during a protest by EFF members.
“Ten windows were broken when rocks and other assortments were thrown at the building.
Five windows are along Lilian Ngoyi Street while the other five are located on the mayor’s office side.”
He said five people were expected to appear in court on Monday following their arrest concerning malicious property damage.
Bokaba said the suspects were in detention at the Pretoria Central police station.
City manager Johann Mettler has condemned “this cowardly violent act” on the city’s assets and vowed to hunt down the perpetrators behind this latest act.
“I wish to commend the police for acting swiftly yesterday 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 said.
He said commuters should continue to arrange alternative transport and would be kept up to date about bus operations and further developments.
Tshwane last week confirmed that its two bus services – TBS and A Re Yeng – would resume operations before 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 with stones and drivers intimidated by disgruntled Tshwane employees allegedly aligned to the Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union (Imatu) and South African municipal workers’ union (Samwu).
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 despite the interdict.
Update on City of Tshwane bus services. pic.twitter.com/QmjHNG0tB7
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) October 2, 2023
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