Buziwe Nocuze
One of the passengers forced to jump out of a Golden Arrow bus after it was petrol bombed by taxi drivers in Cape Town wants the bus company to compensate her.
Taxi operators attacked the buses during Cape Town’s compliance operation two weeks ago, when minibus taxis and avanzas operating without permits were impounded.
Some of the bus passengers have been booked off work for months and say they will not be getting paid while at home.
“I am still traumatised after jumping out of the burning bus. My life will never be the same as I keep reliving the horrific experience of that day,” said one bus victim.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, another passenger, a 36-year-old woman from Khayelitsha, was left with a broken leg and thigh.
“The bus was coming from Khayelitsha. But the driver had learned about the attacks in Nyanga and changed the route,” said the victim.
Unfortunately, the route they thought was safer was the one that would change their lives. Their bus was petrol bombed.
They were helped by people who smashed the bus windows so that they could jump out.
The victim, who didn’t want to be named, spent a week in hospital and the doctor told her she would be out for six months.
“I am the breadwinner; staying at home is frustrating and stressful. I cannot take care of my family.”
She said she wants Golden Arrow to assist her because she was injured on their bus.
“I was not supposed to be on that route. I believe they need to take full responsibility for what happened to me.”
Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyker-Beyer believes the claims should be sent to the Road Accident Fund.
“They can send an email to [email protected], and we can provide the forms,” added Dyker-Beyer.
Image source: @GalloImages
