11 passengers injured in petrol bomb attacks on Golden Arrow buses in Philippi

Ongoing construction to roll-out MyCiTi bus services in Philippi are suspected to be behind a spate of attacks on Golden Arrow buses this week, which sent 11 passengers to hospital.

The three Golden Arrow buses were petrol bombed between Monday and and Tuesday in Philippi near Govan Mbeki Road.

On Tuesday morning, around 8:30am, a bus was petrol-bombed along the route near Klipfontein Mission Station, which resulted in three passengers sustaining burn wounds.

On Monday morning, reports came in that a Golden Arrow bus was set alight when it was petrol bombed along Duinefontein and Govan Mbeki Road, which resulted in eight passengers sustaining serious injuries and taken for medical attention.

Moments later, another bus with no passengers was set alight in the same vicinity. 

Bronwen Dyke-Beyer, spokesperson for the Golden Arrow Bus Services, said they suspect the attacks are linked to protests over the MyCiTi construction taking place in the area.

"Eight injuries were reported [Monday] and three [on Tuesday's] failed petrol bombing. Injured passengers were transported to medical facilities from the scene. 

"The motive is unknown at this stage however given the location of the incidents they may be linked to the protests regarding MyCiTi construction taking place in the area.

"Golden Arrow condemns these callous and brazen attacks in the strongest possible terms. We rely on the authorities to determine why these attacks are taking place, and to apprehend those responsible and ensure that everyone is able to move freely and safely within the area," a statement read. 

Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said the circumstances surrounding this incident is under investigation as a malicious damage to property was registered for investigation.

"This office can confirm that a malicious damage to property case was registered on Monday afternoon for investigation following an incident in Govan Mbeki Road Brown’s Farm where a bus was set alight.

"The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made yet.”

Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, said the victims who sustained the burned wounds were two women and one man and were taken to Heideveld Day Hospital for treatment.

“The City’s Fire and Rescue Service received the call at around 8:33am of a bus alight.

"Crews from Gugulethu were dispatched and arrived at 8:37am. Upon arrival they confirmed the fire was extinguished prior to their arrival.

"Three patients - two women and one man - sustained burn wounds were taken to Heideveld Day Hospital for further treatment.”

Police are appealing to anyone with any information about this incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

Meanwhile, in early July, the City welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s decision to reinstitute an interim interdict against extortionists and others from derailing the MyCiTi construction project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi.

The interdict is effective until April 21, 2026 when the matter will be argued before the court. 

The City said it City obtained the interim order after its officials and the contractor’s staff received death threats and were verbally intimidated.

It comes as the City is upping its pace with multiple ongoing MyCiTi infrastructure projects across the metro-south east.

The work is in preparation for the roll-out of the next phase of the MyCiTi bus service to link commuters from Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain with Wynberg and Claremont. 

The work includes road upgrades, road widening and intersection upgrades for improved traffic flow along Govan Mbeki Road and Japhta K Masemola Road.

The extent of the construction activities for this phase will be along Japhta K Masemole Road, from the R300 bridge in the west to just east of the Mew Way intersection.

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