Worker unions call for govt’s intervention in bus violence

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) is calling for an urgent government intervention in addressing the ongoing violence plaguing the bus industry.

Describing the attacks as very serious, the union says its main concern is the risk on drivers’ safety.

SATAWU’s remarks come hot on the heels of the recent torching and attacks on bus drivers in Gauteng, the North West and Mpumalanga.

As a result, Rea Vaya suspended its service in Soweto after two of its drivers were fatally shot in separate incidents overnight.

At least four people are behind bars for the incident with the Joburg MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene, having placed a R100 000 bounty on the heads of the other suspects who are believed to be on the run.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi elaborates on the tragic news from Soweto.

In the North West, investigations continue into the cause of the fire that gutted nine buses at the Northwest Transport Investment (NTI) on Monday.

This while Putco probes the torching of 51 of its buses at four different bus depots in Mpumalanga last week.

It’s alleged that a group of individuals ambushed security guards and forced their way into the depots before setting the buses on fire.

Two people have since been arrested.

Satawa says it will be meeting with the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, to discuss the pressing issues plaguing the transport industry.

“We will also address the issue of unpaid salaries of workers at NTI, our members and workers have not been paid their salaries for nine (9) months now. The company is said to be facing challenges of corruption and maladministration. We will also be writing a formal letter to request a meeting with the employer (Rea Vaya, PUTCO and NTI).”

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has also added its voice on the crisis, calling on the Transport Minister to set up a special task team to thoroughly investigate these incidents.

“Although UNTU does not represent members in the short-distance bus industry, we operate in the transport sector and we understand the ripple effect of this situation on the employees, commuters and our economy at large as the bus industry is one of the cheaper modes of transportation available to the South African working class,” the union told YNews.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has also condemned the violence.