By Buziwe Nocuze
While Intercape faces a battle with Bheki Cele, a passenger who was shot inside an a bus on his way to Cape Town is calling on the bus company to take responsibility for the incident.
He wants them to compensate him for his injuries.
The 42-year-old victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, is disappointed by the lack of concern from Intercape.
“I was shot on that Sunday, but no one from the company has bothered to check on how I’m doing, or if the wound is infected or not,” he said.
“It is clear they are going on with their lives as if nothing happened while I’m in pain and I can’t sleep at night.”
The incident took place near Cradock almost two weeks ago when the bus was attacked while travelling to Cape Town, apparently by taxi-related thugs. The driver informed the passengers that the bus had been stoned, but he did not stop as he was unsure of what the attackers might do.
A few minutes later, the victim felt a burning sensation in his left thigh and noticed blood.
“I am their responsibility because I was shot inside their bus. Why are they acting as if it was my fault?” he said.
“The incident had caused so much pain, my thigh is swollen and I have already spent more than R600 buying medication.”
He alleges that he has had to use his own money to purchase medication as he left the medication provided by the hospital in a private car arranged by Intercape.
“I forgot the medication in their car. When I contacted them they told me I didn’t leave it in the car. I’m not stupid. I got into the car with my medication,” he said.
Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira responded to the victim’s allegations, saying that the company had transported him home.
“Our team has also been in regular contact with the passenger and has also liaised with the hospitals in Cradock and Worcester to arrange for a script for his medication on his behalf. It is not correct that Intercape has not been in contact since the incident,” he said.
Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said the investigation into the attacks on Intercape buses is being handled by a team of detectives from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit.
“At this stage, there are no breakthroughs, however, we are following all leads and the investigation is continuing,” Nkohli said.
Pictured above: An Intercape bus passenger is lucky to be alive after he was shot while inside the bus by unknown people. He was shot in his left thigh
Image source: Supplied
