Cape Town - Nyanga commuters will either have to pay extra or walk long distances to reach their destination today after Golden Arrow Bus Service (Gabs) announced that their buses cannot operate in the area.
Public Order Police had to be deployed after four Gabs buses and one City truck were set alight in Nyanga and Philippi on Thursday morning.
The torching happened after the City of Cape Town Traffic Services assisted by Nyanga Police and Law Enforcement conducted a compliance operation early this morning that focussed on illegal sedan taxis.
Taxis were impounded and the torching of vehicles began.
“Please note that 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 Gabs in a statement.
“We condemn these senseless acts of violence and call on the authorities to fulfil their mandate of keeping our employees and passengers safe and ensuring that the perpetrators face the full might of the law,” it said.
MEC for Mobility, Daylin Mitchell strongly condemned the torching of vehicles and said he will not stand by and see this thuggery continue.
“These actions are completely unacceptable, purely criminal and will not be tolerated. We will not compromise on the safety of commuters and citizens.
“I thank SAPS for their swift response by deploying Public Order Police in the area to restore calm. I hope justice will prevail,” he said.
Mitchell added that the Western Cape Government would use all available regulatory measures and powers at its disposal to take strong action against anyone who makes themselves guilty of public violence, arson, intimidation, or any other criminal acts that impact on 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,” he said.