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Buses burned in Khayelitsha.
- Three buses and a truck were set on fire at Khayelitsha in Cape Town, leaving some tuition students unable to reach their examination sites in time.
- The Public Order Police and other law enforcement units were present in what police say appears to be a protest over the provision of services.
- Key roads in the area have been closed, including parts of the N2 national route.
Three buses and a truck were set ablaze at Khayelitsha in Cape Town on Thursday, leaving some matrices unable to reach their examination sites in time when protests broke out around the N2.
Police spokesman Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said Public Order Police were at the scene for what appeared to be a protest over the provision of services.
The attacks on public transport and the truck occurred in Makaza, along Baden Powell Drive.
This turned key traffic routes in the area into no-go zones, making it difficult for some students to get to their schools safely.
City of Cape Town traffic spokesman Kevin Jacobs said these are:
- the incoming N2 at Macassar Road;
- exit N2 at Borcherds Quarry;
- the R300 interchange on the N2 outgoing to Somerset West in both directions;
- and Baden Powell Drive between Japhta K Masemola and the N2.
Golden Arrow Bus Service spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said the company was grateful that the first indications are that no one was injured during the attacks on its buses.
The buses cost around R2.4 million each.
READ | Protesters block N2 in Cape Town
“At this time the reason is unknown, but protest actions were taking place in various areas. We had to move our services to the old Makhaya terminal as a precautionary measure,” he said.
“We condemn this in the strongest possible terms, our passengers must go to work and the tuition students who use our services must be able to travel on time and without obstacles.”
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The Western Cape Department of Education issued an urgent notice to say that in light of the disruptions in the morning’s commute, students could start writing until 10:00 am and would get full time for their papers.
If a large number could not arrive in time for the 10:00 am start, the department would begin to discuss the possibility of a supporting document with the national Department of Basic Education.
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There was no space in other test centers due to social distancing and not having enough additional tests available.
“We call on communities to consider the candidates and their future. They have been through a lot this year, and such actions have dire consequences for these students,” said spokesman Bronagh Hammond.
The attacks were condemned by Angus McKenzie of the Cape Town transport committee.
“It is essential that [the police] Leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of this utter and barbaric carnage, “he said.
