Media Release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Mobility
I welcome the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect in connection with the murder and attempted murder cases opened following attacks on long distance buses.
The suspect was arrested by a team of SAPS Western Cape serious violent crime detectives in Klapmuts in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was sought in connection with the murder of Intercape bus driver, Bangikhaya Machana (35) who was shot in April 2022. Another attack occurred in March where shots were fired at another Intercape bus.
The suspect will appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 August 2022.
In a recent meeting of the Western Cape Parliament’s Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works, I made the point that these recent brazen and targeted attacks on long distance buses are criminal and that the hitmen as well as their paymasters must be brought to justice.
I am grateful for this breakthrough and progress made by SAPS in the investigation. The Western Cape Government has adopted a whole society approach to support South African Police Services and law enforcement in whichever way possible to bring perpetrators of crimes to book. We will track this case in court and continue to follow up with SAPS until there’s a successful conviction.
Provincial Traffic will continue to monitor bus operations and, with the support of SAPS, be on the lookout for any ‘patrol vehicles’ that illegally stop and extort busses and other vehicles along key routes between the Western Cape and neighbouring provinces.
I have a responsibility to ensure that all commuters are transported in safety and dignity and that all road users are safe while using the Western Cape road network.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za