A Rea Vaya bus driver was tragically shot and killed on the night of February 3 in Protea Glen, Soweto, leaving the community in shock. The 31-year-old driver, who had only been with the company for eight weeks, was attacked as he neared the end of his shift. The brutal shooting, which left blood splattered across the bus and 17 empty cartridges on the floor, has left his colleagues devastated.
The driver had stopped at a traffic light on Wildchestnut Street when unknown assailants opened fire. His death has raised fears among fellow drivers, with many expressing concerns about their own safety. Risimati Mathebula, a Rea Vaya shop steward, was among the first to arrive at the scene and described the overwhelming sight of blood. “You don’t know how to react,” he said, visibly shaken, acknowledging the deep emotional toll the incident has taken on everyone involved.
Mathebula added that drivers are living in constant fear, unsure whether the attack was motivated by the nature of their job, specific bus routes, or something more complex, such as political or business conflicts. The uncertainty surrounding the motive has left many in a state of confusion and anxiety.
In the wake of the tragedy, colleagues gathered at the Dobsonville depot to mourn the loss of their fellow driver. Small prayers were held as a sign of respect, but the community is left grappling with the grim reality of the violence that has shaken their workplace.
