Bus services in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the North West are on high alert following attacks on 60 coaches and the killing of two drivers in a week.
The City of Johannesburg says security will be heightened around Rea Vaya buses from today, with law enforcement escorts to ensure the safety of passengers as they resume operations.
Two Rea Vaya drivers were ambushed and killed by gunmen in separate incidents in Soweto on Monday night.
Joburg MMC for transport Kenny Kunene said the attacks in Soweto were a declaration of war against residents and the government.
“It is clear that this was a well-orchestrated plan that was well-executed by the criminals. It is not just the killing of innocent drivers who are doing their job, but this is a declaration of war on the residents of Soweto and government,” said Kunene.
The Soweto shooting came on the back of a fire gutting nine buses belonging to North West Transport Investment Investment (NTI) on Monday morning. North West MEC for community safety and transport management Wessels Morweng said: "We can't rule out the possibility of arson."
Morweng said for security reasons, they would not disclose measures put in place in other depots "but the incident has opened our eyes to the possibilities".
The only communication we've received was through their unions, who have basically called for law enforcement to protect the industry and ultimately their jobs.
— Lindokuhle Xulu
He added that the incident has caused a setback as they will have to hire buses from other areas to ensure the public is serviced.
In Mpumalanga, where 51 Putco fleet was torched at four depots in KwaMhlanga a week ago, the company said security remains heightened and every measure has been taken to ensure the safety of passengers and its workers.
The buses were petrol-bombed and two employees sustained injuries. Local taxi operators in the area have distanced themselves from the attack following accusations on social media that they were behind the incidents.
Isaac Mabena, 29, and Luthando Trevor Skosana, 37, have since been arrested for arson.
"Drivers have not raised any concern or fear. The only communication we've received was through their unions, who have basically called for law enforcement to protect the industry and ultimately their jobs," said the company spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu.
In Johannesburg, residents of Mapetla in Soweto, where the first shooting took place on Monday night, told Sowetan how they witnessed a bus zigzagging along the road. This was after its driver was shot in the head.
The remaining passenger in the bus, who did not hear the shooting as he was wearing his headphones, jumped to the front to take over the wheel when he realised the driver was not in control of the bus.
He held the steering wheel for about 500 metres until the bus crashed into a billboard and fibre pole before stopping near a shop. The crash was caught on CCTV camera.
Kunene announced that Rea Vaya will resume operations today under heavy guard. He said passengers should not be intimidated.
"As government, we are here and we will deploy resources to make sure your safety comes first. An in-depth security assessment is being carried out to strengthen security at BRT stations and on BRT feeder routes.
"Resources will be deployed to escort and protect drivers and buses as a proactive intervention to circumvent possible future attacks," said Kunene.
SowetanLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.