A man who allegedly petrol-bombed a Rea Vaya bus in Johannesburg was shot and wounded by police yesterday, the City of Johannesburg said.

“When police confronted him, he attempted to run for it,” spokesman Gabu Tugwana said.

“There was an exchange of gunfire and he was injured.”

The man was arrested and was placed under police guard at Chris

Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.

He was allegedly linked to the petrol bombing of the bus in March.

City Mayor Amos Masondo congratulated police for their swift action.

“The latest move by the law enforcement agencies confirms [our] commitment to efforts being made to ensure safe journeys on the city's public transport system,” he said in a statement.

The new buses began operating about a year ago.