Golden Arrow has offered a reward of up to R200 000 for information relating to a series of arson attacks on its buses. The transport company has lost 14 buses to such attacks since 2020.
The most recent such attack took place in Malibu Village, Cape Town, last week, when five men reportedly stopped a bus by throwing stones at it, while yelling at passengers to get out as they were going to burn the bus. Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer confirmed that no one had been injured during the attack, although the driver had been traumatised by the incident.
Dyke-Beyer noted the difficulties of operating during times of protest, as, while buses do make route changes when protests are ongoing, ambushes such as that in Malibu Village cannot be anticipated in advance. Moreover, remaining operational during times of protest is essential to both bus services and those who depend on them. “Public safety is not something that should be assigned to a private transport company,” Dyke-Beyer noted. “Golden Arrow recognises the right to peaceful protest, but the authorities must then put measures in place to ensure that people can still move freely and safely. Given the current economic climate people cannot afford to lose workdays or face reprimands because of threats levelled towards them or Golden Arrow.”
Dyke-Beyer said that while co-operation with SAPS and traffic services enables information sharing, the rendering of services under dangerous conditions remains the sole burden of the transport service. She noted that such conditions may lead to passengers having to walk long distances, or even being unable to leave certain areas due to the danger. For Golden Arrow, meanwhile, a new bus may cost R2.5 million.
A case of malicious damage to property has been opened, police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed.
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