In what a Daily Maverick report calls a scathing judgment, Eastern Cape High Court (Makhanda) Judge John Smith yesterday made it clear to Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, provincial Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha and the police that his patience had run out.

As the politicians and bureaucrats dithered, another 30 buses had come under attack.

Smith said he was now giving an order that could not be ‘misunderstood’.

The plan government made to stop ongoing attacks on long-distance buses was so vague and its implementation so slow, that it sent a message to the perpetrators that their crimes would be allowed, Smith said.

The judgment is one in a series of rulings as the Intercape bus company tries to secure police protection against ongoing attacks on its buses.

Smith has made a final order compelling the Minister of Transport, the Eastern Cape Transport MEC and the SAPS to ‘develop a revised comprehensive plan on the steps they intend taking to ensure that reasonable and effective measures are put in place to provide for the safety and security of long-distance bus drivers and passengers in the Eastern Cape’.

He said pending the development of the revised action plan, the government had to ensure that: ‘A visible law enforcement presence is maintained at every loading point in hot-spot towns and areas at each of the times at which Intercape’s buses are scheduled to stop at those loading points, in order to maintain the safety and security of long-distance bus drivers and passengers.’

He also ordered that Intercape buses must be given a law enforcement escort on hot-spot routes ‘as and when requested by Intercape on account of a legitimate concern over a risk of intimidation or violence'. 

The hot-spot towns in the province are Cofimvaba, Butterworth, Engcobo, Tsomo and Idutywa.

Full Daily Maverick report