A MyCiti bus has been set alight in Hout Bay area on Wednesday 11 January in the evening. The Mayco member of Safety and Security JP Smith said the incident happened after traffic officers impounded Amaphela earlier that day.
Smith said they are frustrated and he labelled the burning of the bus as “civil terrorism”. He however said they will not be intimidated and will continue to enforce the laws.
“It is with great frustration I note the violent action and the arson attack, directed at a MyCiti bus in Houtbay earlier this evening.
“The protest action comes as a result of earlier enforcement action against illegal “Amaphelas” operating in the area. Such incidents of civil terrorism will not be tolerated.
“The City clearly expressed its position on the matter previously, both in Nyanga and Philippi, where similar cowardly attacks were met with large-scale, stringent area enforcement,” said Smith.
Commuters in the area told Ezitshisayo that when taxi protests begin it causes lots of problems in their lives.
“The taxis will not carry passengers and they will not allow MyCiti to come to this side either. As passengers, we are the ones at the receiving end. The year has just started and we are forced to be absent from work,” said one commuter.
This incident happens after another MyCiti bus caught fire on N2 this week. The city of Cape Town is still investigating what caused the fire.
Smith said he has instructed law enforcement officials to focus with the area.
“This must continue until those guilty for these latest cowardly attacks are surrendered by their community to SAPS, where they can be held accountable for their actions,” he said.