InterCape demands police accountability for passenger safety

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Long-distance bus operator InterCape says police must now account to Parliament for their reluctance to develop a plan to protect its passengers and drivers from violent attacks.

This statement follows InterCape’s victory in the High Court in Makhanda last week.

The court dismissed with costs an application by the Eastern Cape Transport MEC, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the SAPS National Commissioner to appeal a previous high court ruling. This ruling ordered them to develop an action plan to protect bus drivers and passengers.

InterCape CEO Johann Ferreira says, “They have to, at some point in time – I think they’re running out of options and I think they’ve come to the end of the road. This one is very important; they now have to file that safety plan, which they’ve tried to not do, and we’re going to be in front of the police portfolio committee in Parliament on the 21st of August. So I think then they have to start to explain to Parliament why they are reluctant to file this plan and to actually take action.”

VIDEO | Safety and security for Intercape buses: