A win for Intercape

LANDMARK RULING: LONG-DISTANCE BUS DRIVERS MUST BE PROTECTED

- Roy Cokayne

State's move to appeal firm's taxi violence action plan judgment dismissed.

The Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda has 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 high court ruling ordering them to develop an action plan to protect bus drivers and passengers.

This follows high court rulings and orders obtained by long-distance bus operator Intercape.

The Eastern Cape transport MEC, national police commissioner, Eastern Cape Saps commissioner and the national department of transport have been locked in a battle with Intercape since September 2022.

This came about when the company successfully obtained a court order against then minister of transport Fikile Mbalula and provincial officials to develop a comprehensive action plan to protect buses and travellers.

Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira hailed the latest judgment as a landmark victory for public transport safety in South Africa.

He said he hoped that ministers in the government of national unity under Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu would respect and comply with the court's orders.

Ferreira said despite the latest judgment being the fifth one in favour of Intercape, none of the other rulings have spurred the government and police into action.

He said the previous government had no respect for the law or for people's lives and that the latest ruling must end the resistance of the authorities to their duty to protect SA citizens from criminals.

"It is a classic example of the government's incompetence and lack of interest in protecting the people of South Africa. Even a court order that the police must escort buses was not properly implemented," he said.