'Intimidation and vandalism' force suspension of metro bus service

Ekurhuleni has suspended the Harambee BRT service from Tembisa to OR Tambo International Airport to protect bus drivers and commuters.

Operations on the route have been stopped until Friday, the Ekurhuleni metro said.

“This follows the intimidation and threats by people who forced their way in and vandalised the buses.”

Spokesperson for Ekurhuleni, Themba Gadebe, said tensions at the bus service were not an ongoing issue.

“It was just one incident that occurred (on Tuesday). It was caused by an influx of people utilising the passenger rail agency services (Prasa) who forcefully entered the buses, intimidated drivers and passengers and then vandalised the buses …

“We will monitor the situation,” he said.

Gadebe confirmed that services were suspended only on the Tembisa to OR Tambo International Airport route, saying other BRT routes are functioning normally.

He could not provide the extent of damage caused by vandalism nor the number of affected buses.