Following an additional 14 attacks on its buses, Intercape is suing Police Minister Bheki Cele. Here is the most recent court case information.
The attacks primarily took place in the Eastern Cape, according to a News24 report. More than 160 attacks have taken place overall since 2020.
According to the study, Intercape has opened more than 160 criminal cases since 2020, mostly in the Eastern Cape.
Intercape asserted in a 112-page affidavit submitted on March 31, 2023, to the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda that the police and investigating agencies had not put an end to the “calculated campaign of criminality” and had not yet made an arrest.
“Unless and until those responsible for orchestrating these acts of violence are placed behind bars, and a clear message is sent that this type of organised crime will not be tolerated, the risk of injury and death will persist,”
the affidavit read further.
It also called on the Hawks to take over the investigation into the attacks.
Cele was identified as the first respondent by Intercape, followed by General Fannie Masemola, the commissioner of the national police.
According to Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira, since the beginning of March, at least three persons have been injured and two have suffered serious assaults.
Intercape, a long-distance bus business, has filed a lawsuit against Police Minister Bheki Cele for what it calls a “complete and utter failure” to put in place a safety strategy to protect its buses against attacks.
Long-distance buses were stoned and shot at, according to Ferreira, who also claimed that taxi drivers in towns throughout the region intimidated both drivers and passengers.
According to him, the attacks were “part of a pattern of racketeering activity” and “a campaign of organized crime.”
Part of the affidavit reads:
PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO WIDESPREAD INTIMIDATION AT THE HANDS OF TAXI INDUSTRY
“For several years, Intercape’s buses, bus drivers and passengers have been subjected to widespread, ongoing and well-documented acts of intimidation and violence at the hands of the taxi industry.
“The violence and intimidation have not occurred in isolation but have been coupled with express demands from representatives of the taxi industry to operate on their terms. Taxi associations have convened multiple meetings with long-distance bus operators at which they have demanded that the bus operators:
- increase their prices to an agreed minimum price for specified routes;
- limit the number of buses operating each route; and
- alter the departure times of buses to appease minibus taxi operators.“