Cape Town - Long-distance bus routes will continue to be monitored amid a spate of attacks on drivers and other acts of intimidation towards the industry.
This comes as a 28-year-old suspect was arrested in Klapmuts on Saturday in connection with Intercape bus attacks.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the suspect faces murder and attempted murder charges that relate to two incidents.
He is expected to appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
“A team of detectives within the serious violent crimes unit focusing on transport-related violence arrested a 28-year-old suspect in the early hours of Saturday morning in connection with the murder and attempted cases opened following attacks on Intercape buses in Cape Town in March and April 2022.
“In April 2022, an Intercape bus driven by 35-year-old Bangikhaya Machana was shot at resulting in him sustaining a serious injury. Another attack occurred in March where shots were fired at another Intercape bus,” said Potelwa.
“The arrest of the suspect will go a long way in efforts to curb the attacks on the long-distance bus service. Western Cape police with other agencies in law enforcement have since intensified deployments along identified routes and hotspots. Meanwhile, engagements with affected parties continue,” she said.
Intercape said it hoped for further arrests.
“Intercape welcomes news of the arrest by detectives from the Western Cape violent crimes unit of a suspect in connection with the ongoing attacks on Intercape coaches.
“Intercape also calls on SAPS in the Western and Eastern Cape, as well as nationally, to continue with investigations to expose the criminal masterminds behind the campaign of violence directed at the long-distance coach industry in South Africa over the past few years. Several more Intercape drivers have been shot and wounded in recent weeks,” the company statement said.
Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell said provincial traffic would continue to monitor bus operations and, with the support of SAPS, be on the lookout for any patrol vehicles that illegally stop and extort buses and other vehicles along key routes between the province and neighbouring provinces.
“We will track this case in court and continue to follow up with SAPS until there’s a successful conviction. I have a responsibility to ensure that all commuters are transported in safety and dignity and that all road users are safe while using the Western Cape road network,” said Mitchell.
Anyone with information on the incidents can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 086 0010 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
Cape Times