The South African Police Service has confirmed two shooting incidents involving Rea Vaya bus drivers in Soweto last night.
MOTIVE UNKNOWN
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the first incident took place in Mapetla next to Chiawelo Flats, where an unknown armed man fatally wounded the driver. "On the second incident at Tshithuthune Street, the eyewitness reported that he was the last passenger on the bus when he heard gunshots and took cover. After it got quiet, he realised that the driver was shot; he tried to drive the bus but crashed into a wall. The driver was declared dead on the scene, and the passenger sustained no injuries. " Nevhuhulwi said the second incident happened in Protea Glen along Sagewood Street. "An unknown male suspect approached the driver from his right side as he stopped at a red robot. The suspect just fired several shots from the outside, and then moved to the main entrance, fired several shots, and fled the scene. There were few passengers inside the bus at the time of the shooting; fortunately, they managed to flee unharmed." She said the suspect was seen running towards an open space behind a school. "It remains unclear what could be the motive behind these deadly incidents."
SERVICES SUSPENDED
The bus service confirmed that they had suspended their services today following the shootings. In a brief notice on X, they wrote: "Rea Vaya Passengers are advised that buses are temporarily suspended until further notice due to shooting incidents involving bus drivers that happened last night in Soweto. We advise passengers to use alternative public transport. Regular updates on the situation will be given."The Rea Vaya feeder buses have been operating for the past two months after a suspension of their services for almost a year over financial issues. The return of the buses has waged a war between Rea Vaya and taxi operators who blocked operations until the City of Johannesburg deployed law enforcement agencies to escort them. The service of feeder buses was halted for almost a year when the bus operating company Piotrans was put under business rescue.
