A GOLDEN Arrow Bus Services passenger, who was injured when angry pupils allegedly stoned the bus she was travelling in, is demanding compensation from the company.
Leticia Maciko, 47, of Makhaza in Khayelitsha near Cape Town, sustained a serious head injury when she was hit by a stone thrown at a bus she was travelling in from work on Monday afternoon.
The bus was allegedly stoned by unruly pupils when it failed to pick them up at a bus stop.
"The bus was driving down Klipfontein Road, past the Red Cross Children's Hospital, when we saw a group of pupils in navy and lemon uniforms flagging down the bus.
"The middle-aged African female driver did not stop. She just carried on driving when I heard the first stone hit the bus' front window.
"I was sitting just behind the driver. Another stone broke the window next to me and struck me against the head.
"I think they had intended to hit the driver but missed her and struck me instead," she said.
Maciko said she suffered a serious headache and sore eyes after the incident.
She said paramedics responded swiftly after being called by a bus inspector and transported her to Groote Schuur Hospital, where the wound on her head was stitched.
Now Maciko wants the bus company to compensate her for the suffering and pain she experienced.
She said she blamed the bus driver for her injury "because had she stopped for the pupils, they would not have stoned the bus and I would not have been hurt".
Bronwyn Dyke, a spokeswoman for the bus company, confirmed the incident but said they could not be held liable for the attack because "this was a common problem our drivers experience daily".
"Unfortunately, we can do nothing about this incident because the problem falls under the Road Traffic Act.
"This means that Maciko must consider claiming for compensation from the Road Accident Fund.
"Our company can only assist her to complete the RAF forms so that she can submit her claim. That is if she comes forward," said Dyke.
She attributed the stoning to unruly pupils and criminals and appealed to residents to inform the police if they had witnessed the incident.
Bus stoning victim seeks compensation
A GOLDEN Arrow Bus Services passenger, who was injured when angry pupils allegedly stoned the bus she was travelling in, is demanding compensation from the company.
Leticia Maciko, 47, of Makhaza in Khayelitsha near Cape Town, sustained a serious head injury when she was hit by a stone thrown at a bus she was travelling in from work on Monday afternoon.
The bus was allegedly stoned by unruly pupils when it failed to pick them up at a bus stop.
"The bus was driving down Klipfontein Road, past the Red Cross Children's Hospital, when we saw a group of pupils in navy and lemon uniforms flagging down the bus.
"The middle-aged African female driver did not stop. She just carried on driving when I heard the first stone hit the bus' front window.
"I was sitting just behind the driver. Another stone broke the window next to me and struck me against the head.
"I think they had intended to hit the driver but missed her and struck me instead," she said.
Maciko said she suffered a serious headache and sore eyes after the incident.
She said paramedics responded swiftly after being called by a bus inspector and transported her to Groote Schuur Hospital, where the wound on her head was stitched.
Now Maciko wants the bus company to compensate her for the suffering and pain she experienced.
She said she blamed the bus driver for her injury "because had she stopped for the pupils, they would not have stoned the bus and I would not have been hurt".
Bronwyn Dyke, a spokeswoman for the bus company, confirmed the incident but said they could not be held liable for the attack because "this was a common problem our drivers experience daily".
"Unfortunately, we can do nothing about this incident because the problem falls under the Road Traffic Act.
"This means that Maciko must consider claiming for compensation from the Road Accident Fund.
"Our company can only assist her to complete the RAF forms so that she can submit her claim. That is if she comes forward," said Dyke.
She attributed the stoning to unruly pupils and criminals and appealed to residents to inform the police if they had witnessed the incident.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos