Cape Town - Unathi Sitsili, the man charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the attack on long-distance bus operator, Intercape, made his first court appearance today.
The 28-year-old appeared at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court and the State plans to oppose bail due to the seriousness of the charges.
In April 2022, an Intercape bus driven by 35-year-old Bangikhaya Machana was shot at, resulting in him sustaining serious injuries.
He died three days after the incident in hospital. Another attack occurred in March where shots were fired at another Intercape bus.
Sitsili was nabbed by a team of detectives in Klapmuts in the Cape Winelands during a tracing operation.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “He is charged under Schedule 6 and the State will oppose his bail application. The accused told his Legal Aid lawyer that he doesn't have previous convictions or pending cases against him.”
His case was postponed to next Monday for bail information.
DA member of the provincial legislature, Ricardo Mackenzie, commended the work done by the police in arresting Sitsili.
“The arrests must not stop here as much more still has to be done to apprehend more of those responsible for the assault on Intercape drivers, passengers and property.
“Extortion and violence in the long-distance transport industry have become an all too common phenomenon and the criminals behind these heinous attacks must be brought to book.”
Intercape said there had been more than 150 attacks on its buses. The arrest of Sitsili was the first breakthrough the police made.
Earlier this month, the provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Transport convened all the relevant role players in the long-distance transport industry.
* It was recommended that Santaco must immediately put in writing to all its taxi operation partners, requesting that they stop attacks on buses if they are involved.
* Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula should appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport to present his department’s plan of action to combat the violence.
* Cases that have allegedly been mishandled by the SAPS must be referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate for further investigation.
* The Department of Justice should appear before Parliament’s Justice Portfolio Committee and explain the lack of prosecutions and what is hampering prosecutions.
McKenzie said he hopes that justice will prevail and that the NPA will make sure that this matter is handled firmly and decisively.
“All those who committed these heinous offences must bear full responsibility for their conduct and be subjected to the full might of the law.”