Violent attacks erupted in Nyanga after City Law Enforcement officials impounded 21 taxis on Thursday. Four Golden Arrow buses and aRoad Infrastructure Management Department truck were set alight. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency (ANA)
Cape Town - Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) has halted operations in Nyanga after four buses, a municipal truck and cars were stoned and torched in the area after City Law Enforcement impounded a number of taxis on Thursday morning.
The violent attacks erupted just hours after the start of an integrated enforcement operation involving public sector vehicles, the City said.
Law Enforcement officers impounded 21 vehicles, 19 Avanza’s and two minibus taxis, for operating without a valid permit or operating in contravention of the conditions set out in their permit.
A bus driver was reportedly injured during the violence.
Mayco member for safety and Security JP Smith said there appeared to be a modus operandi when enforcement services move into the area to do their jobs.
“The violence that followed is no coincidence. The last such incident was recorded in March this year, and just over a year ago, we witnessed similar violence in the Nyanga area.
“It cannot be the case that a small group of instigators wants to hold us hostage and escape accountability for their actions each and every time.
Enforcement occurs throughout the city, and the law has to be applied equally to all,” said Smith.
Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi refuted any allegations that their members were part of the violence.
“Our cars are being impounded almost every day. Why now should our people burn buses and be violent? People should stop associating this with us.
“It was never reported to any lower or upper structure of the association. Our association has nothing to do with today's incident,” said Sityebi.
GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer condemned the acts of violence and called on authorities to fulfil their mandate to keep their employees and passengers safe and ensure that the perpetrators face the law.
“As a result of four of our buses being set alight in Nyanga we are not able to operate in the area and will be starting and terminating all Nyanga services from Borcherd's Quarry,” said Dyke-Beyer.
Mayco member for Urban mobility, Rob Quintas said the City’s enforcement services were working closely with the SAPS to track down those responsible for the attacks.
Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 086 0010 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
Cape Times