Armed metro cops escort Rea Vaya buses after attacks

Johannesburg Metro Police are providing armed escorts to Rea Vaya buses after the buses were stoned by thugs. Image: Jo'burg Archive

Over the last two months police have been escorting buses after 15 vehicles were stoned in April, most of them near West Park cemetery. Last month a bus driver was assaulted in Dobsonville, Soweto, allegedly by fellow drivers.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesman Wayne Minnaar confirmed the attacks and said police were escorting the buses in the mornings and evenings.

He said although the attacks had stopped they would continue to escort buses, to ensure the safety of commuters and drivers.

Rea Vaya operations general manager Eric Motswane, said the rear windows of 15 buses were smashed by unknown people.

"I think it's just thuggery. There is no fixed association that has raised any issues," he said.

Motswane said he was disappointed the police had not caught the thugs. City of Johannesburg spokesman Benny Makgoga said: "The escort is just a precautionary measure that was put in place in case of potential problems."

Dumisani Mntambo, spokesman for Piotrans, the company that operates Rea Vaya, said improving the drivers' security was a priority.

Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge