Gauteng police are investigating the murder of two Rea Vaya bus drivers who were hot and killed in Soweto.
Image: X/@Abramjee
Gauteng police are investigating the murder of two Rea Vaya bus drivers who were shot and killed in different incidents in Soweto, leading to an immediate suspension of bus services in the area.
The bus services were halted after a fatal shooting on Monday night, February 3.
One bus driver was murdered in Mapetla and another one was killed in Protea Glen.
The Rea Vaya passengers have since been advised that buses are temporarily suspended until further notice due to the shootings.
“We advise passengers to use alternative public transport. Regular updates on the situation will be given,” the notice said.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed to IOL News that the police are investigating cases of murder after two bus drivers were shot and killed in two separate incidents.
“In the first incident, it is reported that the driver had stopped a robot along Wildchestnut Street in Protea when he was shot and killed by unknown suspects,” Nevhuhulwi said.
She said in the second incident at Tshithuthune Street, Mapetla, an eyewitness, who was the last passenger on the bus, reported hearing gun shots and taking cover.
“After it got quiet, he realised that the driver was shot, he tried to drive the bus but crashed into a wall,” she said.
Nevhuhulwi said the driver was declared dead on the scene and the passenger sustained no injuries.
She added that the motive for the shootings is unknown, and police investigations are ongoing.
Last year, Rea Vaya was locked in a legal spat with a taxi association after its new fleet launch was disrupted.
At the time, the Saturday Star reported that the taxi association claimed the buses were deployed with the wrong registration plates.
Putco buses that were torched in Mpumalanga.
Image: SAPS
This incident comes a week after 51 Putco buses were torched in Mpumalanga.
It is alleged that a group of suspects, driving a white Toyota Quantum set the buses alight.
In the first incident, 16 buses were burnt at KwaMhlanga, more were burnt across three other locations.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said security officers were injured during the attacks.
Police have since arrested two men, aged 29 and 37, on charges including malicious damage to properties, and business robbery.
IOL News