Bus attacks impact tourism – Intercape
|Published
Intercape bus company briefed the Parliament’s committee on tourism on a campaign of terror being waged against them. FILE
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Tourism has been asked to intervene in the plight of long distance bus operator, Intercape, as it struggles to operate and faces violence in parts of the Eastern and Western Cape.
Intercape briefed the committee on the onslaught against its drivers and buses, allegedly perpetrated by some elements in the taxi industry.
The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco), pulled out of the briefing after initially agreeing to participate, the sitting noted.
Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira also warned that if nothing is done to stop the siege, it would affect international tourists.
He said the company had provided adequate evidence to the police that backed up its claim that the attacks were linked to taxi operators.
Despite this, no one had been arrested in the Eastern Cape, and four people were arrested in the Western Cape.
One of the arrests was linked to the murder of driver Bangikhaya Machana, 35, outside the company depot in Cape Town on April 25.
Ferreira said that the number of attacks now stood at 150 and of these, 128 took place in the Eastern Cape.
"Taxi operators who have now bought buses have systematically pushed us out of certain towns in the Eastern Cape and we are now only allowed to operate from Mthatha," said Ferreira.
The company was now barred from operating in Ngcobo, Butterworth, Tsomo, Ngqamakhwe, Cofimvaba and Komani.
Ferreira said when the company brought to the attention of authorities that a bus owned by a taxi operator did not have the requisite licence, it was impounded.
“But the next day one of our drivers was shot at and three days later two more buses were shot at.”
The company was currently involved in a legal dispute with Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and the National Minister of Transport after the alleged attempts to force it out of operation.
Ferreira also told the committee that if no long-term solution was found, the attacks would also have serious repercussions for the tourism industry.
“This is of national interest. Intercape just bought 40 coaches and these will be used to transport international tourists. I don’t have to tell you what will happen if tourists on the bus get shot.”
Ferreira said the minister of transport and police were aware of the attacks but had yet to respond to letters sent to them.
"I request the committee to take this matter to the National Assembly," pleaded Ferreira.
Committee chairperson Thandi Mahambehlala made a commitment to bring together the portfolio committees of transport, tourism, safety and the National Council of Provinces to discuss the matter before the end of the term.
“The demand for bus travel has increased as flights have become expensive. The safety of all South Africans is important. Attacks on tourists will also reflect negatively on the international community,“ said Mahambehlala.
"It’s clear these are acts of criminality and the law must take its course,“ she added.