A MyCiTi bus has been stoned and later set alight in an arson attack in Hout Bay.

The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee member for Transport, Rob Quintas, says a suspect has been arrested, and a case of attempted murder, arson and malicious damages to property has been opened.

There was a taxi-related protest in Imizamo Yethu yesterday.

The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith says the arson attack came as a result of earlier enforcement action against illegal “Amaphelas” operating in the area.

Smith has labelled the act ”civil terrorism” and says it will not be tolerated, and targeted area specific operations will now commence.

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.

 

Enforcement of existing national legislation is important, as it ensures the protection of routes to valid permit holders, while also ensuring commuter safety by demanding such vehicles are kept in a roadworthy state and that drivers hold the required licensing and permits.

 

Those that do not comply have absolutely no right to demand instead that their unlawful actions to be ignored.

Smith says additional resources have been deployed to assist SAPS in the tracing and arrest of those responsible.

I have called upon the directorate to focus all available resources on widescale enforcement over the area, more than just that related to the public transport industry but extended to other avenues of enforcement as well.

 

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.