​A group of protesters outside the Princess Crossing Shopping Centre in Roodepoort, West of Johannesburg, petrol-bombed three Johannesburg Metro buses this (Wednesday) afternoon.
 
The group of people from Princess informal settlement were protesting on the road outside the Princess Crossing Shopping Centre in Roodepoort, complaining about the service delivery in the area.
 
Three new buses (2x Euro-5 and 1x Euro-3) were petrol-bombed next to the Shopping Centre as they passed through the area. Windscreens were broken but fortunately, survived extensive damage. As a result, the two Euro-5 buses can be repaired by tomorrow afternoon and be assigned back to work.
 
Pick n Pay staff were able to assist the driver of the third bus, a Euro-3, to extinguish fire which had engulfed his vehicle. The bus will need extensive repairs before returning back to work.
 
Costs of the damage are still to be determined but are expected to run into thousands of rand.
 
All passengers inside the three buses were not injured during the petrol bombing attacks. Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has been deployed to monitor the situation.
 
Cllr Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, in the City of Johannesburg has condemned the violent protest and attack on the Johannesburg Metro buses.
 
"We strongly condemn such acts and we are currently tightening our legislation to ensure that those responsible for random damage on government property meant for serving the community to face the full might of the law”, said Cllr Makhuba.
 
She added that the right to protest and express oneself freely is an important element of democracy pronounced by the South African constitution. “But this right comes with responsibility for the protesters who need to conduct themselves in an orderly and peaceful manner, and within the confines of the law", emphasized Cllr Makhuba.
 
All Johannesburg Metro buses at areas affected by unrest were being diverted from the hot spots. At Roodepoort, for instance, the buses were moved to safe alternative routes like Witpoortjie and surrounding areas.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Johannesburg Metrobus
 
For media enquires please contact: Nkosinathi Nkabinde on: 083 408 7787
Email: nnkabinde@mbus.co.za">nnkabinde@mbus.co.za