Construction on Govan Mbeki Road to make way for the MyCiti bus service.
Eight passengers were seriously injured after a Golden Arrow bus was petrol bombed in Philippi early on Monday at the corner of Duinefontein and Govan Mbeki Roads.
A second bus was also set alight at around 8am and was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, said Golden Arrow Bus Service spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer.
Those injured in the first fire were taken to hospital.
A group of residents, unhappy that they have not been given jobs on the under-contruction MyCiti bus project on Govan Mbeki Road, protested throughout the day on Monday, blocking parts of the road. The group acknowledged they were responsible for petrol bombing the buses.
“We are tired of not being listened to when we ask for clarity and more information on the ongoing construction of the MyCiti bus projects,” said protest leader Zamuxolo Makeleni.
“When we see an opportunity to disrupt, we will do so until the City comes on board and listens to our demands. Our demands are legitimate.”
Vehicles were stoned by protesters and blocked from passing through. Tyres and debris were set alight on the road. Teenagers also participated in the protest.
Last week, during a similar protest, a car was set alight in front of the municipal sub-council offices, and a contractor’s vehicle and a Golden Arrow bus were stoned.
Philippi resident Sinethemba Thobani said the protesters were a small minority group with a selfish agenda. “Blocking roads, stoning company cars, torching of buses, and damaging property will never be the answer. If the demands of the protesters are legitimate, they must approach the relevant departments and engage,” he told GroundUp.
Mayco member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas said the City will not accede to any demands for the project work to be halted, as this will result in additional costs for the City. He requested community members be patient, allow the contractor to proceed, and follow the protocols.
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The South African Council of Churches has been vocal in advocating for social justice and human rights.
commando
Fun South African Fact: The Dutch and the British fought over South Africa.
VenusLion
An retired elderly couple visit London..
They get picked up from the airport in a london black cab and head off into the city for some adventure.
The cab driver say \”where you from guvnor?
Husband. \”we\’re from South Africa\”..
The wife is a little hard of hearing asks her husband.
\”What did he say?\”
The husband turns to his wife and says louder \”the cab driver asked us where we were from, I told him South Africa!\”
The cabbie continues \”I was in the merchant navy years back… I got to drop anchor down your way, a few times in Johannesburg\”
The husband replies \”oh wow that\’s where we\’re from originally, now we\’re in Cape Town.\”
The wife asks the husband again \”what did he say?\”.
The husband again relays the unheard conversation \”the cab driver says he spent some time in the navy and went down to joberg\”.
The wife smiles and nods.