Intercape urges Parliament to act now

LONG-distance bus operator, Intercape, has made a desperate appeal to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, citing a breakdown in law enforcement response to violence and intimidation against its operations.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The company appeared before the committee on Wednesday, where it laid out in detail how despite securing nine court orders against various arms of government, no meaningful action has been taken to protect its passengers and staff.

Intercape CEO, Johann Ferreira, told the committee that over 200 criminal cases had been opened with police since 2015, including charges of murder, attempted murder, intimidation, and extortion.

Despite extensive evidence, including video footage, witness statements, and the registration numbers of vehicles linked to taxi associations, Ferreira said not a single suspect had been prosecuted.

The attacks, he said, include petrol bombings, shootings, ambushes, and in one case, the murder of an Intercape driver.