Bus company Intercape has welcomed the arrest of a suspect – who is believed to be linked to attacks on their long distance buses.

Several vehicles were attacked earlier this year including one incident in which a driver sustained fatal gun shot wounds.

Police on Saturday arrested a suspect in Klapmuts as part of their investigations, and he is due to appear in court on Monday where he will face charges of murder and attempted murder.

Intercape says they hope that this breakthrough leads to further arrests and the successful prosecution of the perpetrators behind a series of violent attacks, including shootings and stone-throwing, as well as other acts of intimidation.

Mobility MEC Daylin Mitchell also welcomed the arrest.

The suspect was sought in connection with the murder of Intercape bus driver, Bangikhaya Machana (35) who was shot in April 2022. Another attack occurred in March where shots were fired at another Intercape bus.

In a recent meeting of the Western Cape Parliament’s Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works, I made the point that these recent brazen and targeted attacks on long distance buses are criminal and that the hitmen as well as their paymasters must be brought to justice.

I am grateful for this breakthrough and progress made by SAPS in the investigation. The Western Cape Government has adopted a whole society approach to support South African Police Services and law enforcement in whichever way possible to bring perpetrators of crimes to book. We will track this case in court and continue to follow up with SAPS until there’s a successful conviction.

Provincial Traffic will continue to monitor bus operations and, with the support of SAPS, be on the lookout for any ‘patrol vehicles’ that illegally stop and extort busses and other vehicles along key routes between the Western Cape and neighbouring provinces.

I have a responsibility to ensure that all commuters are transported in safety and dignity and that all road users are safe while using the Western Cape road network.

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