As the indiscriminate attacks on long-distance buses in Eastern Cape persist, a bus from Intercape and another from APM were stoned last night shattering the windscreens and windows.
The ongoing attacks are suspected to be caused by minibus taxi operators struggling to fairly compete with the long distance buses.
Eastern Cape Department of Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxotiwe condemned the attacks which he says would endanger the lives of innocent passengers.
Unconfirmed reports also suggested that an Eldo Coaches bus was attacked on the same night.
“The attacks have been disturbingly prominent on the R61 road connecting the Eastern Cape with the Western Cape. The latest of those occurred in Cradock last night, where buses from two different companies, (Intercape and APM) came under attack, with drivers’ windscreens smashed and passenger windows were not spared either,” said Tikana-Gxotiwe.
Tikana-Gxotiwe has condemned these attacks in the strongest possible terms, calling on law enforcement to act in protection of lives of innocent passengers and those doing business in the province.
“What is happening on our roads is completely unacceptable and could potentially lead to massive loss of lives. We have to act to prevent these from recurring. We urge the law enforcement to be extra vigilant, we urge them to be proactive. To protect the innocent lives of passengers and protect businesses operating within the province. All those who are behind these barbaric acts, whoever they are, must face the might of the law,” said Tikana-Gxotiwe.
The department also wishes to extend a word of gratitude to those passengers who continue to expose these barbaric acts by bringing them to authorities’ attention by sharing them, even on various media platforms.