Passengers hoped a much-needed bus service from Durbanville to the city would be the answer to their travelling woes, but now face threats and intimidation.
Those who travel from Fisantekraal to the city using Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) said travelling on the route was risky.
The bus company had been receiving requests for a service between Fisantekraal and the city since 2019. It finally began operating a service on August 16, with necessary permits.
However, from the outset, certain taxi operators in the area were unhappy about the Golden Arrow service.
Acts of intimidation and threats lead to the suspension of the service just two days after its launch, and it was only reinstated on October 18.
GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said the day after the route was reinstated, some people boarded one of the buses and took photos of passengers, which left them feeling threatened.
Durbanville police were made aware of the incident and a police escort was provided.
“We also made contact with the City and were assured that law enforcement/traffic services would be visible in the area. Unfortunately this was not the case.
“The bus was stopped and the individuals travelling in a private vehicle then informed company officials that GABS would not be permitted to operate. A case of extortion/intimidation was registered at Durbanville SAPS.”
Dyke-Beyer said the situation escalated significantly on October 21, when the bus arrived in Fisantekraal with a police escort.
“Three GABS passengers had been assaulted at the bus stop while awaiting the arrival of the bus. The passengers indicated that the assault had been brought on because they wanted to make use of our services rather than taxi services.
“A GABS official’s vehicle was also stoned and damaged by unknown men near the taxi rank in Fisantekraal.”
She said the bus then attempted to proceed along the route, but four taxis blocked the road and the police had to intervene.
“SAPS and the bus had to make a U-turn and exit the area to avoid further conflict.”
On October 22, the entrances and exits to Fisantekraal were blocked by taxi operators and the bus was again unable to operate, despite a police presence.
“We have not been able to operate a single trip since then without some form of intimidation, blocked access or serious threat of violence.
“This outright criminality cannot be allowed to continue and those responsible must allow Golden Arrow to operate its legitimate and lawful service. Threatening and assaulting commuters for making personal choices about how they wish to travel is also completely unacceptable,” said Dyke-Beyer.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed cases of intimidation, assault and malicious damage to property were reported by Golden Arrow.
Three suspects were arrested.
Mandla Hermanus from Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) told Weekend Argus he was not aware of any unrest in Fisantekraal involving taxis.
Meanwhile, the taxi route between Bellville and Mbekweni was closed by the MEC for Transport and Public Works Daylin Mitchell in July, in an effort to stop the violence between operators CATA and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA).
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Public Works, said a final decision on the route was now in the hands of an arbitrator.
“We had been informed towards the end of October that the arbitrator called a number of witnesses back to provide clarity on regulatory processes and minibus operations in the area.
“All evidence and submissions have now been finalised and we are in the hands of the arbitrator.”
According to Makoba-Somdaka, the arbitrator would publish the findings and recommendations.
“It is likely that parties will approach the courts to make the recommendations an order of court.
“In the event that the process may extend beyond the published extended closure date, the minister of transport and public works, following the process as outlined in the National Land Transport Act, may consider the further closure of ranks and routes affected by taxi violence.”
Makoba-Somdaka confirmed the department was aware of the situation in Fisantekraal.
“The Department of Transport and Public Works is informed of the criminal activities, allegedly perpetrated by a group of taxi operators, in the Fisantekraal area.
“The department is in regular contact with the SAPS to ensure that commuters and other road users are protected.
“Minister Mitchell and the department have engaged various stakeholders towards ending the conflict as soon as possible. The minister has called on the SAPS to enforce the law, and [called] on all public transport operators to respect the rule of law.”