Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell welcomes the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect who’s linked to the Intercape assaults.
POLICE ARREST INTERCAPE SUSPECT
The suspect, 28, was nabbed by a crew of detectives throughout the severe violent crimes unit on transport-related violence on Saturday morning.
He is allegedly linked to the assaults on the long-distance buses which passed off in Cape Town in March and April 2022, police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa stated.
“The suspect was arrested in Klapmuts in the Cape Winelands during a tracing operation. He faces murder and attempted murder charges that relate to the two incidents.”
Novela Potelwa
He shall be showing within the Bishop Magistrates Court on Monday, 15, August.
The Transport Violence crew is presently working exhausting in probing different instances linked to the assaults on the Intercape buses, Potelwa stated.
“The arrest of the suspect will go a long way in efforts to curb the attacks on the long-distance bus service.”
ALSO READ: Using Intercape buses? Watch out for these VIOLENT ATTACKS
MITCHELL IS GRATEFUL FOR THE PROGRESS AND ARREST
Mitchell, who has been pleading for an finish to the Intercape buses within the province, says he welcomes the arrest.
“In a recent meeting of the Western Cape Parliament’s Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works, I made the point that these brazen and targeted attacks on long-distance buses are criminal and that the hitmen, as well as their paymasters, must be brought to justice.”
Daylin Mitchell
The Minister says he’s grateful for the breakthrough and progress made by the police within the investigation.
“The Western Cape government has adopted a whole society approach to support South African Police Service and law enforcement in whichever way possible to bring the perpetrators to book. We will track this case in court and continue to follow up with SAPS until there’s a successful conviction.”
ALSO READ: ANOTHER Intercape bus SHOOTING in Cape Town [WATCH]
INTERCAPE BUSES FACE SHOOTINGS, INTIMIDATION AND EXTORTION
In the identical Parliament Standing Committee assembly, Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira introduced a breakdown of the assaults the corporate has skilled.
Incidents of stoning, intimidation, assault and tried extortion have been happening since 2019.
Last yr, 150 related incidents occurred. 141 of the identical occurrences passed off this yr.
In April, Intercape bus driver Bangikhaya Machana, 32, died after being shot outdoors the corporate’s depot.
Intercape CEO blames “rogue” taxi associations behind the violent assaults. He states that these associations are intent on forcing bus operators out of sure areas and key routes.
“They are doing this at the end of a barrel of a gun and authorities have done nothing to stop these attacks and prevent bloodshed. Instead, there have been attempts to intimidate and persuade us to be party to agreements around pricing structures and routes which amounts to price-fixing. This is a serious criminal offence and Intercape refuses to participate in such acts,” he stated.
