Three Mitchells Plain women were injured when a petrol bomb exploded in the Golden Arrow bus they were travelling in on Thursday amid ongoing service delivery protests in Vrygrond.
Police spokesperson Siyabulela Malo says Public Order Police and Law Enforcement officers were called to Prince George Drive when protesters barricaded the Vrygrond Avenue intersection with burning tyres and rubble shortly before 8am.
“Several passing vehicles were thrown with petrol bombs,” Malo says.
“A bread truck and a bus with five passengers were also attacked but they managed to escape with minor burn injuries, and thereafter they were transported to a nearby health facility for medical attention.
“Public Order Police and other Law Enforcement were called to monitor the situation and they will remain in the area to ensure law and order is maintained.”
Malo says two people were arrested after they were found in possession of petrol bombs and will appear in court once charged.
Protesters bomb bus, 3 passengers injured. Picture supplied
Golden Arrow spokesperson, Bronwen Dyke-Beyer, says the bus was en route to Blue Route Mall from Town Centre.
“The petrol bomb failed to ignite the bus,” Dyke-Beyer says.
“Two passengers were treated for shock on the scene and three passengers were transported to a hospital for
further medical treatment.
“Two arrests have been made but at this stage the motive is unknown.
“We condemn this brazen act of violence in the strongest possible terms.”
Isaac Goliath, chairperson of the Vrygrond Development Forum, says the protests were sparked by the removal of shacks on the vacant land behind Vrygrond known as Xakabantu.
AFFECT: Minor burn victim
He says the forum has been in a dispute with the City of Cape Town over the land for several years now, but tempers flared when 10 families were removed on Monday.
“They came in again and broke down 10 shacks. We have tried to talk to them, all we are fighting for is the land that belongs to Vrygrond.
“We lost control of the crowds protested and people are angry and frustrated.
“We still have no schools and no clinics this protest won’t come to an end any time soon.”