Gunmen kill bus passenger
Amputee Bernard Khambule was sitting next to the driver when gunmen opened up and took his life
Cllr Elphas Mbatha points out the bullet holes in one the buses
Supt Joseph Masibuko supervises the towing away of buses that barricaded the entrance to eSikhaleni
The blood-stained steps tell the story of the tragic death of an innocent commuter in the presence of many other terrified passengers
Dave Savides
MYSTERY surrounds the unprovoked gun attacks on Ikhwezi buses in eSikhaleni on Tuesday morning that led to the death of one passenger.
Five buses were hit during dawn ambushes in the township, with marksmen using high calibre rifles deliberately aiming at the bus drivers.
Bullet holes indicated that shots were fired from both sides of the road and reports said that occupants of a white Bantam bakkie - recovered abandoned on Tuesday night in eSikhaleni - were responsible.
Who they are and their motive for the attacks is still not known and an intensive search and investigation is continuing.
Bernard Khambule (50), an amputee from the Maboyeni area, who was sitting next to the driver, was shot dead through the open doors at about 5.30am near Khobosa Store.
'He was just an innocent passenger, going to work,' said Cllr Elphas Mbatha, who is also eSikhaleni CPF Chairman.
'We need to ensure the absolute safety of every driver and passenger.
'The people need to see a visible police presence and the priority is to see that buses continue to operate so that people can earn a livelihood,' said Mbatha, who expressed condolences to the deceased's family.
Blockade
While police rushed to the various shooting scenes, other drivers abandoned their buses and fled.
Later, in frustrated protest, they blockaded the main route from Richards Bay, as well as disrupting traffic within the township.
In response, police impounded and towed away the buses, issuing fines to the drivers.
Four drivers have already appeared in court at eSikhaleni on charges of public violence and their cases have been remanded.
iKhwezi Transport General Manager, Fanie Joubert said that while he did not condone unlawful acts by the bus drivers, he did understand their frustration.
'Being a bus driver is a difficult job at the best of times and it is even worse when you are a soft target for gunmen.
'I don't blame them for venting their frustration,' said Joubert, who added that the company could only speculate as to who may have been responsible for the bus attacks.
Joubert said a meeting would be held today (Wednesday) with drivers, but early indications were that they would return to work on Thursday.
*COSATU immediately disassociated themselves from the shooting, saying it had nothing to do with the proposed strike the following day.
'We condemn this act of violence in the strongest terms,' said Local Secretary, Trudy Guma.
No comments:
Post a Comment