“Rea Vaya drivers and their families have again become a target of unscrupulous people who choose the path of violence rather than of negotiations,” says the City of Johannesburg.

Drivers who have made the effort and up-skilled themselves to serve the people of Johannesburg should be commended and not attacked.

The City says this is, unfortunately, not the first attack on Rea Vaya employees since the service was introduced in 2009. Quite often the violence coincides with strike action organized by some sectors in the taxi industry.

Reacting to an earlier attack the Minister of Transport, Mr Sbu Ndebele, also strongly condemned violence directed towards the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit. “Such attacks on the lives of innocent citizens cannot be allowed to continue, Mr Ndebele said.

The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Mr Khabisi Mosunkutu, has said his department would do “everything in their powers to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.”

The Rea Vaya drivers are presently employed by Clidet, a temporary company until an agreement is reached with affected mini-bus taxi operators who will be offered shareholding in a new bus operating company. 

Mr Mazibuko and his family were visited by the human resource staff and their immediate needs are been catered for.

Meanwhile, the City would also like to assure the drivers and the members of the public that together with its Metro Police, Provincial Community Safety department and the South African Police Services take all possible steps to minimize the risk of attacks on the Rea Vaya staff, buses and stations.

The vigilance of the law enforcement agencies has, in the past few days, largely contributed to limit hostility and threats made against people and property. The City urges the community to assist in protecting the assets which provide quality public transport for them by exposing those who plan acts of sabotage against Rea Vaya project in their neighbourhoods.

Joburg City has repeated its commitment to continue negotiating with representative leaders of affected taxi associations to resolve matters in best interest of the community and the industry. The talks are being facilitated by reputable experts in resolution disputes, Mr Charles Nupen, Tefo Raditapole and Peter Harris.

To find out more about this Rea Vaya BRT press release, please contact:
Lisa Seftel , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel  011 870 4511 for the City of Johannesburg’s Transportation Department

Nthatisi Modingoane,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,
011 407 7354  for the City’s Media Liaison Department