Mayor De Lille condemns spate of public violence in the city

The City of Cape Town condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence that has been experienced throughout the city this morning. Today's attacks on public transport infrastructure are clearly well-orchestrated and driven by the desire to make the city ungovernable. There is simply no justification for such levels of public violence.

The City will continue to work closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that we contain the violence as far as possible, and critically, to ensure that those responsible are arrested and convicted for their criminal actions.

Up to now, disruptions have included:

Two buses set alight at the Nyanga terminus

Four buses set alight along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi

Sporadic stoning incidents in Nyanga and Philippi

Tyres set alight at the intersection of Vanguard Drive and Oliver Tambo Drive

Traffic disruptions at various spots along the N2 highway

The assault of 11 Golden Arrow Bus Services bus drivers

Reports from the ground make it unclear what the exact reason for today's violence has been. However, it is clear from the fact that these were well planned and simultaneous attacks that the action is politically motivated, and is the continuation of the sustained campaign to make the city ungovernable ahead of the 2016 local government elections.

I would therefore challenge the ANC, COSATU and Ses'Khona to publically condemn today's violence. If they remain silent, then it will be yet more proof that they condone these efforts to make Cape Town ungovernable. Ultimately those who suffer the most from today's violence are poorer communities as residents from these areas struggle to get to work. The City has also been forced to temporarily withdraw staff from certain areas, as a result of the threat of violence. This further compounds the negative effect on poor and vulnerable communities.

The City will continue to monitor the situation closely and do everything possible within our limited policing mandate to help contain the situation, in conjunction with the SAPS.

Mayor De Lille urges organisations to condemn public violence in the city

Since this morning, 1 September 2014, there have been violent attacks in Nyanga. The latest reports indicate that two MyCiTi buses were also targeted, in addition to the six Golden Arrow Bus Services buses which were set alight earlier today. Sadly, one death has also been reported.

It is now more clear than ever that today's attacks on public transport infrastructure are clearly well-orchestrated and designed to make the city ungovernable.

It is worth noting that the City has received reports that Ses'Khona leader, Mr Loyiso Nkohla, recently made public threats to physically destroy the N2 Express service.

Furthermore, he is alleged to have been in Nyanga this morning, which was the epicentre of today's public violence.

We call on all peace-loving organisations to condemn this violence, including the ANC and COSATU. 

Statements issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor, City of Cape Town, September 1 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter