Rea Vaya has announced that its services will remain suspended today, Wednesday, 5 February 2025, following a tragic series of events that shook the community of Soweto. This decision comes after two Rea Vaya bus drivers were shot dead in separate incidents on Monday night, leading to the temporary suspension of services in Soweto on Tuesday.
“Passengers are informed that buses are still suspended today. Further updates on the situation will be given during the course of the day. We apologise for the inconvenience and advise passengers to use alternative public transport,” Rea Vaya announced on X. Initially, the bus service had planned to resume operations on Wednesday, citing a law enforcement plan designed to ensure the safety and security of bus drivers, passengers, and vehicles. However, in light of the escalating violence, the suspension was extended.
City of Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene provided chilling details of the attacks during a press briefing on Tuesday. The first shooting occurred around 8:30 PM near Mapetla Secondary School. According to Kunene, the assailants fired eight bullets at the driver while he was driving. When the bus eventually came to a stop, the attackers returned to “finish the driver off.” The driver was still alive when paramedics arrived at the scene but tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The second attack took place near Curro College in Protea, where 17 bullets were fired at another Rea Vaya bus driver. Kunene described these incidents as clear assassinations, stating, “This is a clear assassination. We don’t want to speculate on the motive, but the police are investigating.” The targeted nature of these attacks has raised concerns about the safety of public transport operators and passengers alike, adding another layer of anxiety in a city already grappling with numerous challenges.
The police are conducting thorough investigations to uncover the motives behind these brutal killings. Meanwhile, Rea Vaya’s indefinite suspension has left thousands of commuters scrambling for alternative means of transportation, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures within the city’s public transport system.
