Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi on Thursday called on law enforcement agencies in Tshwane to react swiftly and arrest the perpetrators of the “cowardly arson attack that took place yesterday afternoon on an A re Yeng bus”.
Arsonists petrol bombed a rapid transit bus in Pretoria on Wednesday, leaving four passengers and the driver injured. The bus was extensively damaged by the fire.
Vadi said he was shocked that this “criminal attack” took place while the bus driver and innocent passengers were still on the bus. He wished the injured, who have been hospitalised, a speedy recovery.
“This criminal act must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Nothing can justify such a reprehensible act that threatens the lives of innocent commuters,” said Vadi in a statement on Thursday.
MMC for Transport in Tshwane, Shiela Senkubuge, said the A re Yeng bus services will operate normally with Tshwane Metro Police escorts.
“The safety of commuters is of paramount importance and the city should be applauded for taking the decision to ensure traffic police escorts for bus services in Pretoria,” added Vadi.
Senkubuge warned: “It is a crime against the people of Tshwane to burn public buses and public property, and it will not be tolerated. I urge calm, and I commit to making A re Yeng work so that all residents can use our buses.”
The South African Police Service and the Tshwane Metro Police attended to the arson attack incident.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
