Broken limbs, torched cars and buses after Nyanga’s Amaphela lash out with fiery attack
Cape Town - Petrol bombs, violence and mayhem rocked Nyanga when “Amaphela” taxi drivers lashed out at the City’s traffic services, Golden Arrow buses and private cars on Thursday morning.
Safety and security Mayco member JP Smith said the violence erupted after City officials began conducting an integrated enforcement operation involving public sector vehicle traffic officials.
Smith said that City officials had impounded 21 Amaphelas and two taxis in terms of the National Land Transport Act – 19 for operating without valid permits.
Thereafter, a group of unidentified suspects allegedly launched petrol bombs at Golden Arrow buses, private cars and a truck belonging to the City’s urban mobility directorate.
Four Golden Arrow buses were completely burnt out in the attacks and costs attached to the loss could run up to R10 million, according to Golden Arrow, who said their buses were reportedly carrying passengers at the time of the incidents.
Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said one driver was badly injured. Witnesses said several passengers that were on board the buses at the time of the attacks were also injured, including a young woman who broke her leg as she scrambled out of one of the burning buses.
Speaking to the Cape Argus, she said: “I don’t even know what sparked that chaotic showdown. One minute we were in buses, and the next stones were raining against the windows. I was rushing out and I saw buses on fire.”
While the Amaphela (non-fixed route) taxis fall under the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata), the association said it was also shocked to learn of the altercation between the City and Amaphela drivers.
Cata secretary Mongi Titi said: “I was in a meeting from morning till noon. I didn’t know that something that serious was happening in Nyanga. I started receiving calls as I left my meeting, so I still have to go to Nyanga to find out exactly what happened and why.”
Condemning the incidents, Smith said: “The violence that erupted in Nyanga appears to be the modus operandi every time our enforcement services move into this area to do their jobs.
“The last such incident was recorded in March this year, and just over a year ago we witnessed similar violence in the Nyanga area. This level of lawlessness is unacceptable, and we will not be deterred. It cannot be that a small group of instigators want to hold us hostage and escape accountability for their actions every time.
“Enforcement occurs throughout the city, and the law has to be applied equally to all. The City’s enforcement services are working closely with police to track down the persons responsible for today’s attacks.”
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said: “Nyanga police are investigating cases of public violence and malicious property damage. No arrests have been made yet.”
Urban Mobility MEC Daylin Mitchell also spoke out against the public violence, saying that the actions by the perpetrators were unacceptable and purely criminal.
He said: “We will use all available regulatory measures and powers at our disposal to take strong action against anyone who makes themselves guilty of public violence, arson, intimidation, or any other criminal acts that impact the safety and dignity of public transport users and citizens. We must defend the constitutional order and uphold the rights of commuters and other stakeholders. I will not stand by and see this thuggery continue.”
Urban mobility Mayco member Rob Quintas also condemned the attack on the directorate’s service vehicle.
He said: “I was informed about a truck from the road infrastructure management department that was set alight while on its way to Heideveld to deliver basic services. I condemn this act in the strongest terms possible. Every time a vehicle is burned, service delivery is delayed, and our residents have to go without services.”
Following the attacks, Nyanga has now been declared a no-go area and some services to the community placed on temporary hold.
nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za