At least eight buses were set alight and destroyed at a
depot in Motherwell last night, May 26.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel
Priscilla Naidu, last night at about 21:05, it is alleged that while
the security guard was conducting his routine patrols around the depot, he
noticed a bus on fire.
Naidu said he ran
to get assistance and by the time he returned, other buses were burning.
She further said no injuries were sustained.
“The estimated value of the buses is R12 million,” said Naidu.
“A case of malicious damage to property is under
investigation by SAPS Motherwell detectives. At this stage there are no
arrests.”
In the meantime, the six suspects aged between 20 and 35 who were arrested on
Tuesday, May 25 on charges under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, 18 of
2015 – damage to infrastructure and public violence, will be appearing in
the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court today, May 27.
Lieutenant General Liziwe
Ntshinga, Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, has warned protestors that even though it is their
constitutional right to engage in protests, this must be done in a peaceful
manner and within the confines of the law.
“Damaging the infrastructure, destroying property,
blockading roads, and hindering basic services are criminal acts and will not
be tolerated. I urge the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay metro to resolve their
issues amicably with the relevant authorities and to refrain from
committing criminal acts and protests especially when we are still in the midst
of the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Ntshinga.
“We will decisively deal with those offenders who are
riotous and unruly during these protest actions.”
Uber vehicles targeted by protestors
According to a Facebook post by Port Elizabeth Traffic Updates,
while transporting a client out of Walmer Location, a Uber vehicle was stopped
by taxi drivers and flipped onto its side. There was also a report of another Uber vehicle that was flipped over in Victoria Drive, Walmer.
