Mary Papayya
Mary Papayya
An important community meeting will be held in KwaMashu today to discuss the violence aimed at buses and passengers.
The meeting is a sequel to an attack yesterday when gun-wielding robbers boarded a bus, poured petrol over the passengers and then set the bus alight.
The bus was transporting 18 passengers from KwaMashu to Umhlanga at about 5am when the incident happened.
The attack appears to be linked to recent threats on buses to cease operating in the area.
Terrified passengers said the gunmen ordered them off the bus after dousing them with petrol. Bus driver Kenneth Mndaweni was forced onto his knees while the attackers held a gun to his head, saying they had warned buses not to operate in the area.
After dousing the passengers and forcing them out, the attackers set fire to the bus.
Police spokesman Siwe Nxumalo said no arrests have been made. "We are investigating charges of malicious damage to property and pointing a firearm.
"Apparently the attackers said they had a problem with the bus driver and the owners."
Councillor Skhumbuzo Myeza condemned the incident, saying the attacks would be discussed at the meeting.
"We don't have enough transport in the area, so people have the right to choose whatever transport they want without intimidation and threats."
In a separate incident, a bus was petrol bombed at Amawoti in Inanda yesterday. No one was injured.
Councillor Zandile Gumede said people only heard gunshots.
Workers and students were left stranded following the attack.
Last month two buses were set alight in Inanda. Two people died and several were injured.
Petrol poured on passengers
Mary Papayya
Mary Papayya
An important community meeting will be held in KwaMashu today to discuss the violence aimed at buses and passengers.
The meeting is a sequel to an attack yesterday when gun-wielding robbers boarded a bus, poured petrol over the passengers and then set the bus alight.
The bus was transporting 18 passengers from KwaMashu to Umhlanga at about 5am when the incident happened.
The attack appears to be linked to recent threats on buses to cease operating in the area.
Terrified passengers said the gunmen ordered them off the bus after dousing them with petrol. Bus driver Kenneth Mndaweni was forced onto his knees while the attackers held a gun to his head, saying they had warned buses not to operate in the area.
After dousing the passengers and forcing them out, the attackers set fire to the bus.
Police spokesman Siwe Nxumalo said no arrests have been made. "We are investigating charges of malicious damage to property and pointing a firearm.
"Apparently the attackers said they had a problem with the bus driver and the owners."
Councillor Skhumbuzo Myeza condemned the incident, saying the attacks would be discussed at the meeting.
"We don't have enough transport in the area, so people have the right to choose whatever transport they want without intimidation and threats."
In a separate incident, a bus was petrol bombed at Amawoti in Inanda yesterday. No one was injured.
Councillor Zandile Gumede said people only heard gunshots.
Workers and students were left stranded following the attack.
Last month two buses were set alight in Inanda. Two people died and several were injured.