DANGEROUS ROADS: Long distance coach and taxi intimidation, murders, crippling SA transport industry

  • 📰 dailymaverick
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 61 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 28%
  • Publisher: 84%

Ireland News News

Ireland Ireland Latest News,Ireland Ireland Headlines

The transport industry painted a bleak picture of levels of extortion that are crippling operations and putting long-distance passengers and staff at risk. Not limited to the Western Cape, it has become a national norm. Yet no arrests have been made, ...

Intercape’s attorney Jac Marais said that attacks on their buses started in 2019 and involved incidents of stoning, intimidation, assault, attempted murder and extortion.Standing Committee on Transport in the Western Cape Legislature on Friday, 5 August. The purpose of the session was to get a sense of the attacks on the long-distance coach industry. The Department of Public Works , Intercape, SAPS, Prasa andThe briefing follows a spate of attacks on Intercape drivers.

Attacks are becoming more violent, sophisticated and organised, with increased use of vehicles in attacks. In the 30 June attack, perpetrators used a Hilux bakkie. One immediate step to stop attacks at Intercape depots that he suggested, is to place practical steps on the way forward, including cameras on the bridge near Intercape depots, and investigating as crimes under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

Ferreira also pointed out that Intercape is a private company operating legally with all the necessary permits, but still they have been subjected to “a concerted campaign of violence at the hand of rogue taxi associations” who are intent on “forcing coach operators out of certain regions and from key routes”.

He explained that incidents involving Golden Arrow Bus Services indicate that the nature of crime incidents are ever-changing and adapting. Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile described the crimes reported on the attacks of buses, taxis and trains, including murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property, hijacking of vehicles with the intent to extort the driver, and demanding R1,500 as penalties to non-permit holders and extortion.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 3. in İE

Ireland Ireland Latest News, Ireland Ireland Headlines