More than a year after a petrol bomb attack on a Go George bus left 11 people with severe physical and psychological wounds, the survivors are breaking their silence, demanding accountability and financial compensation from the municipality-run bus service for their life-altering injuries and mounting debts.
The horrific incident occurred in March 2023 on an early morning trip from Pacaltsdorp to the CBD. It took place just days after the controversial announcement that the bus route would be extended to include the township of Thembalethu—a plan previously postponed for years due to objections from the local taxi industry.
While the flames were extinguished that day, the survivors say their ordeal is far from over. In emotional interviews, they describe a painful journey marked by staggering medical bills, lost livelihoods, and the constant, haunting trauma of the attack.
“It stays with you forever,” one survivor recounted, his voice heavy with emotion. “Sometimes even at night when you’re sleeping and you close your eyes, you still got that flashbacks… you see the fire and you see how your hands look, all that burning.”
The physical scars are a daily reminder, but the financial and emotional burdens are crushing their lives. One victim revealed she was forced to leave her job after needing a pacemaker fitted months after the attack. “I can’t use my hands anymore like usual,” she stated.
Their primary frustration is directed at the Go George bus service, which is operated by the George Municipality. The victims allege a wall of silence from the company despite their constant follow-ups.
“They said they’re not responsible,” another survivor said. “The insurance is only going to pay out what they lost in the bus, not for our injuries or anything else.”
This sentiment was echoed by others who feel abandoned. “We are not roadkill,” one victim declared. “Something happened to us and life goes on… We have bills that we need to pay. We didn’t have those things previously before the incident. So, who’s going to assist us now?”
The victims are demanding to know if they are valued commuters or simply a liability. “We want justice. We want to be compensated… they got insurance on their buses and the insurance already paid out.”
In response to the allegations, the George Municipality issued a statement acknowledging the victims’ concerns and sympathizing with those affected. The municipality confirmed that immediate relief and trauma support were provided through various stakeholders at the time of the incident.
However, officials emphasized that the bombing was “an unforeseen criminal act” that remains under investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS). The case has seen little progress; three suspects were initially arrested, but charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence. The investigation remains open.
For the 11 survivors, the wait for both criminal justice and corporate accountability continues, a dual battle for compensation and closure that shows no sign of ending.
