Update
GEORGE NEWS - A busload of Go George commuters from New Dawn Park in Pacaltsdorp were on their way to work at 05:30 yesterday morning, Wednesday 1 March, when two petrol bombs were thrown at the moving bus in Protea Road.
One of the bombs was thrown through a window on the driver's side in the back section of the bus and landed in the middle of the aisle, injuring several people.
Eleven commuters sustained mild to serious burn wounds on their faces and bodies and were taken to the George Provincial Hospital. Two of the patients were admitted to hospital with third- and second-degree* burn wounds.
One of them, a fifty-year-old man, sustained serious burn wounds to his arms and upper body and a woman (30) had injuries on her face and hands. Both were in a serious condition.
The most serious wounds were sustained by people on the aisle side of the bus. Four patients were transported by ER24, two by Eden 911 and the rest by Metro Emergency Services. There were no fatalities on the scene.
Motive unknown
The motive for the attack is still unknown, but it follows two days after George Municipality announced that the Go George service roll-out in Thembalethu is imminent.
Pacaltsdorp police opened an attempted murder docket after the incident.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, the motive for the attack is yet to be established and forms part of the police probe. "The driver and three more passengers were also taken to hospital for observation," said Spies.
On the scene, a commuter who was waiting on the bus said she saw two men approaching the bus on foot. "The two men had bottles in the hands. One of the bottles went through the window and the second hit the side of the bus. The men thereafter fled on foot," said the commuter.
Go George manager Morné Lakay said the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) regrets the incident and will assist the police with information and CCTV footage to bring the perpetrators to book. The bus service in the area and all other routes remain fully operational.
George Mayor Leon van Wyk strongly condemned the incident. "It is incomprehensible that anyone would want to injure members of the public on their way to work, just to make a statement of whichever kind. The Go George bus service provides an essential service to our community and passengers should feel safe using the municipality's public bus service. From our side, we will do everything we can to help Go George and the GIPTN to get to the bottom of this matter.
"As mayor, I extend my well-wishes to the passengers and employees of Go George who were affected this morning and trust that they will make a speedy recovery."
One of the bombs went through a window in the back section of the bus.
Minister condemns attack
The Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, condemned the attack and called on the police and law enforcement agencies to bring the culprits to justice as swiftly as possible.
"The people of our province need dignified, safe, reliable and affordable mobility options. We will continue to work with our partners to provide commuters with public transport services that get them to work and school safely," said Mackenzie.
"I have engaged with Minister of Social Development Sharna Fernandez to arrange for counselling and social support for the victims. My thoughts are with the driver and passengers who were affected by this traumatic incident."
One of the bombs went through a window in the back section of the bus and landed in the aisle. Photos: Kristy Kolberg
*Second-degree burns: If you have this type of burn, the outer layer of your skin as well the dermis (the layer underneath) has been damaged. Your skin will be bright red, swollen, and may look shiny and wet. You'll see blisters, and the burn will hurt to the touch.
Third-degree burns: Sometimes called a "full thickness burn". This type of injury destroys two full layers of your skin. Instead of turning red, it may appear black, brown, white or yellow. It won't hurt because this type of burn damages nerve endings. Source: webmd.com
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