Southern Africa's largest bus operator Intercape, has won its 5th and final battle against the Police and the National Department of Transport, ordered to devise measures against violence targeting long-distance bus drivers and passengers.
Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira says this is a landmark victory for public transport safety in South Africa as the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court dismissed an appeal by the provincial MEC for Transport and SAPS.
The parties have been in a legal battle since 2022, when Intercape won a court order against the then Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and provincial officials.
CEO Ferreira says since then, they have registered 171 cases with police ranging from assault, vandalism, intimidation and murder, mainly reported in the Eastern Cape.
He says to date, not a single arrest has been made.
Ferreira says since 2015, Intercape's buses have faced a barrage of attacks by taxi drivers and associations seeking to defend their turf. Several passengers have been injured, and two years ago, one of their drivers was shot dead.
Despite this being the fifth judgment in Intercape’s favour, none of the other rulings have spurred the government and police into action. Even a court order that police escort buses were not properly
implemented.
"The government has fought this tooth and nail, costing the taxpayer millions of rands in legal fees, instead of coming up with a plan not only to do what is legally right by complying with a court order
but to fulfil its constitutional mandate by ensuring the safety of its people". Ferreira said
Intercape said they were hopeful that the Government of National Unity (GNU) under new Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will comply with the court order.
"Intercape's victory is a significant milestone in the fight against organised crime, for safer public transport and providing more options for South African commuters.
"This judgment serves as a reminder of the critical need for effective and timely action by public authorities.
"Cele and Mbalula should be held personally responsible for wasting taxpayers’ money," Ferreira added.
