Latest news with #Intercape
IOL News
23-05-2025
- IOL News
‘No arrests, no justice': Intercape slams police inaction amid ongoing violence
Intercape said more than 200 cases opened with police—ranging from murder and attempted murder to intimidation and extortion Image: Supplied Long-distance bus company Intercape appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Police, urging Parliament to intervene as police continue to fail in addressing a wave of violence and intimidation directed at the company. The Committee, chaired by DA MP Ian Cameron, heard evidence detailing the severity of the crisis, including more than 200 cases opened with police—ranging from murder and attempted murder to intimidation and extortion. Despite the volume and seriousness of these cases, Intercape said no arrests had been made and no prosecutions followed. Advocate Kate Hofmeyr SC told the Committee that the police's response had been 'a failure… in its statutory and constitutional duties,' even in the face of repeated court orders. Senior police officials claimed for the first time that 11 arrests had been made. However, Hofmeyr stated that this had not been reported to the courts or Intercape, as legally required. Intercape said it has spent more than R420,000 on medical costs for injured passengers, lost over R30 million in revenue due to suspended services, paid R3 million for private security, and R5.5 million for coach repairs. The company, founded in 1971, has faced various conflicts over the years, some dating back as far as 2016. CEO Johann Ferreira said tensions escalated sharply when the taxi industry began questioning the validity of Intercape's bus permits. Once investigations confirmed no irregularities, Ferreira said the situation evolved into 'a new level of warfare.' 'This escalated to stone throwings and shootings,' Ferreira said. 'They assaulted the drivers and passengers, stopping buses at the bus stations in the Eastern Cape and pulling passengers from the buses, armed with guns. It escalated to a point where a driver was murdered. Many passengers were injured. The drivers were injured. Passengers were traumatised.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ferreira expressed deep concern over the lack of arrests despite 200 pending cases. 'This is a blatant case of contempt of court and is being committed by a government which undertook a sworn oath of office to uphold the Constitution,' he said. After the briefing, Committee Chair Ian Cameron criticised the investigation's handling. 'With regards to the violence against the bus industry, it was shocking to see the lack of resolve or the lack of enthusiasm or urgency to attack the problem and solve the issue,' he said. 'They could have been much further with this, but they can't at the moment indicate the arrest of any kingpin even, which tells me that from the foundation phases of this investigation, they did it in the wrong way.' He added, 'Either there's a lack of will, a deliberate disregard for the problem, or just incompetence.' Cameron did acknowledge the practical limitations of police resources: 'I agree with SAPS in the way that they can't patrol or escort every single bus. That's not possible.' However, he argued this doesn't excuse the failure to run intelligence-driven investigations. 'Through solid, organised crime, intelligence-driven operation, prosecution-led investigation, they could have been much further with this.' Cameron supports the idea of a public hearing into the police's handling of the matter but noted the risks. 'It's easier to engage with large companies, but on the ground, people are scared. Some have been killed. The threats are real.'
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Intercape urges Parliament to act against escalating violence on buses
SCENE: Intercape driver rammed into barriers after he was shot on Jakes Gerwel Drive Image: File Long-distance bus operator Intercape has made a desperate appeal to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, citing a complete breakdown in law enforcement response to ongoing violence and intimidation against its operations. The company appeared before the committee on Wednesday, where it laid out in detail how despite securing nine court orders against various arms of government, no meaningful action has been taken to protect its passengers and staff. Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira told the committee that over 200 criminal cases had been opened with the police since 2015, including charges of murder, attempted murder, intimidation, and extortion. Despite extensive evidence, including video footage, witness statements, and the registration numbers of vehicles linked to taxi associations, Ferreira said not a single suspect had been prosecuted. The attacks, he said, include petrol bombings, shootings, ambushes, and in one case, the murder of an Intercape driver. In an unexpected turn during the committee meeting, senior police officials revealed that 11 arrests had allegedly been made in connection with the attacks, information that had never been shared with the company or submitted to the courts as required by law. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Advocate Kate Hofmeyr SC, representing Intercape, described this development as deeply troubling, noting that SAPS had failed to comply with court orders requiring them to update both the court and Intercape on the progress of investigations. She urged the committee to convene a public hearing into SAPS's failure to act and to summon senior police officials to account. Ferreira said government's failure to enforce the law amounted to contempt of court and a betrayal of the Constitution. He accused the Ministers of Police and Transport, their provincial counterparts, and police commissioners of openly defying multiple high court orders. Intercape first approached the courts in June 2022, when a campaign of violence allegedly driven by rogue taxi associations escalated dramatically. Among the nine orders granted by the high court are directives compelling the Department of Transport to produce and implement action plans to curb the violence, and requiring the SAPS and Hawks to investigate the attacks as organised crime. In one instance, the Eastern Cape High Court found SAPS in contempt of court for failing to comply with interim obligations. Despite this, Intercape said, the state has not taken any visible steps to address the crisis. The financial impact has also been severe. Intercape said it had paid more than R420 000 in medical bills for injured passengers, lost over R30 million in revenue after suspending services in parts of the Eastern Cape, spent over R5 million on coach repairs, and incurred R3 million in private security costs. Ferreira said the broader implications of the government's inaction go beyond Intercape, as safe and affordable public transport options continue to disappear in areas dominated by violent extortion. Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police Ian Cameron described the presentation as 'shocking' and said hundreds of attacks had been documented, including more than 170 incidents involving Intercape and over 100 arson attacks on Golden Arrow buses in just the past 18 months. He said none of these had led to successful prosecutions. Cameron added that some SAPS members reportedly demanded protection fees from bus companies, effectively becoming part of the extortion network. "While SAPS and the Hawks debate over whose 'mandate' this is, organised crime syndicates operate freely. Bus operators are forced into 'no-go zones'. Ordinary South Africans lose safe, affordable transport. Businesses bleed millions." He said the committee would begin a formal process of scrutinising the specific cases raised, with further feedback to follow. Ferreira warned Intercape will soon bring new contempt of court proceedings against the state. Cape Times
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Intercape appeals to Parliament over escalating violence against its operations
An Intercape driver rammed into barriers after he was shot on Jakes Gerwel Drive. Image: File Long-distance bus operator, Intercape, has made a desperate appeal to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, citing a complete breakdown in law enforcement response to ongoing violence and intimidation against its operations. The company appeared before the committee on Wednesday, where it laid out in detail how despite securing nine court orders against various arms of government, no meaningful action has been taken to protect its passengers and staff. Intercape CEO, Johann Ferreira, told the committee that over 200 criminal cases had been opened with police since 2015, including charges of murder, attempted murder, intimidation, and extortion. Despite extensive evidence, including video footage, witness statements, and the registration numbers of vehicles linked to taxi associations, Ferreira said not a single suspect had been prosecuted. The attacks, he said, include petrol bombings, shootings, ambushes, and in one case, the murder of an Intercape driver. In an unexpected turn during the committee meeting, senior police officials said that 11 arrests had allegedly been made in connection with the attacks, information that had never been shared with the company or submitted to the courts as required by law. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Advocate Kate Hofmeyr SC, representing Intercape, described this development as "deeply troubling", noting that SAPS had failed to comply with court orders requiring them to update both the court and Intercape on the progress of investigations. Ferreira accused the Ministers of Police and Transport, their provincial counterparts, and police commissioners of openly defying multiple high court orders. The financial impact has also been severe, as Intercape said it had paid more than R420 000 in medical bills for injured passengers; lost over R30 million in revenue after suspending services in parts of the Eastern Cape; spent over R5 million on coach repairs; and incurred R3 million in private security costs. Ferreira said the broader implications of the government's inaction go beyond Intercape, as safe and affordable public transport options continue to disappear in areas dominated by violent extortion. Chairperson of the portfolio committee, Ian Cameron, described the presentation as 'shocking' and said hundreds of attacks had been documented, including more than 170 incidents involving Intercape and over 100 arson attacks on Golden Arrow buses in just the past 18 months. He said none of these had led to successful prosecutions. Cameron added that some SAPS members reportedly demanded protection fees from bus companies, effectively becoming part of the extortion network. "Even worse, there are credible reports that some SAPS members are demanding 'protection fees' themselves, effectively turning police officers into extortionists. "While SAPS and the Hawks debate over whose 'mandate' this is, organised crime syndicates operate freely. Bus operators are forced into 'no-go zones'. Ordinary South Africans lose safe, affordable transport. Businesses bleed millions." He said the committee would begin a formal process of scrutinising the specific cases raised, with further feedback to follow. Ferreira warned Intercape will soon bring new contempt of court proceedings against the state. Cape Argus
The Herald
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Make the police act: bus company CEO's shocking letter to Ramaphosa
No-one in your government has been held accountable for this continued failure. No-one has been disciplined for allowing criminals to terrorise innocent people while millions in public funds were wasted fighting against justice. Our plight is shared by millions of South Africans. Criminals are winning everywhere. There are mafias operating in broad daylight, in the construction industry and elsewhere. Our fight has not only been for Intercape and its passengers, but for every person and business that has the right to be protected from criminals. As an aside, your government tried to convince the court that we were acting out of self-interest. The judge had to put them straight and found that this 'unfounded assertion' was merely 'used by the SAPS as an excuse for not performing their constitutional duties'. The court's exasperation was clear when it found that '[i]t boggles the mind why it is so difficult for a law enforcement agency to appreciate that when armed assailants take potshots at moving buses, deleterious consequences inevitably ensue'. We have faced apathy and retaliation, while the criminals, the ministers, the MECs, and the SAPS generals continue to fail in their constitutional duties with impunity. The courts have already conducted the inquiries. The evidence is before you. Mr President, please hold your ministers, commissioners, and MECs accountable. Fire them. Recover the wasted money from them personally and use it to protect the citizens of this country. These legal victories achieved by Intercape thus far are a testament to our determination to safeguard our passengers and to hold the South African government and police accountable for its blatant disregard for human lives and the rule of law. However, these victories offer little comfort when the violence continues, and justice remains elusive. Mr President, I urge you to uphold your oath of office. Restore order. Enforce the law. Take decisive action against those who have failed the people of South Africa. Surely, your vision of 'all are equal before the law' must also apply to those within your government. Intercape is but one example of the cost of inaction. The true burden of your leadership failures is borne by every citizen in this country. Sincerely, Johann Ferreira CEO, Intercape Ferreira Mainliner TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
15-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Make the police act: bus company CEO's shocking letter to Ramaphosa
The courts further held the national commissioner of police in contempt of a court order that compelled him to do his job. The commissioner did not even bother to file an affidavit in defence of his lack of action. The court described this as 'not only unavailing but damning' and as 'indicative of a failure to appreciate the obligations imposed by legislation and to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves'. The national commissioner failed to appreciate what his obligations were, and much less discharged them. He too did not suffer any consequences. There has also not been any public condemnation of the violence against Intercape. Not by yourself or anyone from your government. The shootings of Intercape's drivers were not met with messages of condolences from any minister or MEC. No one visited the families or came to the hospital, or attended the funeral. There have been no serious undertakings to resolve this scourge of co-ordinated violence. Instead, the 'lamentable indifference' was replaced by retaliation. As we were winning in court, there was a sudden clampdown on our buses. Drivers were being pulled off the road by the SAPS under the guise of checking clearly lawful permits, only to be released a few hours later. They showed no regard for the passengers, including the elderly and the young, or those awaiting their arrival. The court found that criminals 'were apparently emboldened by the lack of visible policing', that the action plan developed by your government in response to a court order was so deficient that it would 'send the unfortunate message to the authorities do not intend to use their extensive statutory powers to quell the violence', and that because this is the message sent by your government's failures it may even have been 'better to have no action plan at all'. No-one in your government has been held accountable for this continued failure. No-one has been disciplined for allowing criminals to terrorise innocent people while millions in public funds were wasted fighting against justice. Our plight is shared by millions of South Africans. Criminals are winning everywhere. There are mafias operating in broad daylight, in the construction industry and elsewhere. Our fight has not only been for Intercape and its passengers, but for every person and business that has the right to be protected from criminals. As an aside, your government tried to convince the court that we were acting out of self-interest. The judge had to put them straight and found that this 'unfounded assertion' was merely 'used by the SAPS as an excuse for not performing their constitutional duties'. The court's exasperation was clear when it found that '[i]t boggles the mind why it is so difficult for a law enforcement agency to appreciate that when armed assailants take potshots at moving buses, deleterious consequences inevitably ensue'. We have faced apathy and retaliation, while the criminals, the ministers, the MECs, and the SAPS generals continue to fail in their constitutional duties with impunity. The courts have already conducted the inquiries. The evidence is before you. Mr President, please hold your ministers, commissioners, and MECs accountable. Fire them. Recover the wasted money from them personally and use it to protect the citizens of this country. These legal victories achieved by Intercape thus far are a testament to our determination to safeguard our passengers and to hold the South African government and police accountable for its blatant disregard for human lives and the rule of law. However, these victories offer little comfort when the violence continues, and justice remains elusive. Mr President, I urge you to uphold your oath of office. Restore order. Enforce the law. Take decisive action against those who have failed the people of South Africa. Surely, your vision of 'all are equal before the law' must also apply to those within your government. Intercape is but one example of the cost of inaction. The true burden of your leadership failures is borne by every citizen in this country. Sincerely,
