Cape Town law enforcement authorities are monitoring tensions near the Golden Arrow bus terminus in Nyanga following an arson attack on three carriers on Thursday morning.
Watch: Nyanga Golden Arrow buses petrol-bombed
For commuters, this means that Golden Arrow’s in and outbound services have been abandoned until further notice.
In a statement, the bus service condemned what it terms a targeted attack that coincidentally started right after law enforcement officials conducted a seizure operation on informal taxis in the area.
“We condemn these senseless acts of violence and call on the authorities to fulfil their mandate of keeping our employees and passengers safe and ensuring that the perpetrators face the full might of the law,” Golden Arrow wrote.
While Cape Town police did not explicitly reveal the number of buses targeted in the alleged arson attack, reports indicate that at least four buses were set alight at the Nyanga terminus. The first attack was registered at approximately 09:30 on Thursday when three buses were allegedly petrol-bombed on Govan Mbeki and Emms Drive.
The fourth bus attack was reported near New Eisleben and Sheffield Road. Further, Cape Town authorities confirmed that a truck was also targeted near Lansdowne Road and Symphony Avenue in Crossroads by the same suspects who allegedly petrol-bombed the Golden Arrow buses at Nyanga Terminus.
“Saps deployment will remain in the area until calm has been restored,” Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi wrote in a statement.
Motorists travelling in and around Nyanga are advised to avoid:
- Govan Mbeki Road
- Emms Drive
- New Eisleben Road
- Sheffield Road
- Lansdowne Road
- Symphony Avenue
Here are videos of the inferno that were caught on camera by onlookers: