City of Cape Town Link

Atlantis youth arrested for stoning a MyCiTi bus

The stoning happened at around 05:00 on the corner of Jonkershoek Road and Kolgha Crescent in Sherwood Park, Atlantis. A MyCiTi commuter reported the incident to the City of Cape Town’s Transport Enforcement Unit, who immediately deployed officers to the scene.‘They conducted a search on foot and apprehended the youth who was hiding in the bushes, close to where the stoning happened. He was arrested and detained at the Atlantis Police Station. I want to thank the commuter for reporting this incident immediately and our officials for their swift response. As was the case with a similar stoning incident in Atlantis in November 2015, we will provide the local authorities with as much information as possible to ensure that this young man from Sherwood Park is charged with malicious damage to property. If found guilty, he must face the consequences of his actions,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron. In November 2015 a youth from Atlantis pleaded guilty to the charge of malicious damage to property, following a stoning incident. He had to pay R9 000 into the City’s bank account as a result of the damage to the MyCiTi bus.‘Similarly, we will also try to recover the costs of the damage to the 9-metre low-floor bus from the suspect who was arrested on Sunday morning. We are still determining the actual damage to the side window of the bus, as well as the loss in revenue due to the bus being out of service while it is being repaired – save to say that it will amount to at least R10 000. I want to warn vandals that the City will not tolerate thuggish behaviour and that those arrested and successfully prosecuted will bear the consequences of their criminal deeds,’ said Councillor Herron. Each month up to 20 stoning incidents are reported to Transport for Cape Town, the City’s transport authority. The worst affected areas are Atlantis, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Table View and Melkbosstrand.‘In most of the cases the vandals are known to the community and I want to request that our residents please assist the City and the Law Enforcement officials in identifying the culprits. Please provide us with information that could prevent the attacks or assist us in prosecuting the criminals. The MyCiTi bus service ultimately belongs to all of us living in Cape Town and it is up to each one of us to look after it,’ said Councillor Herron. Another challenge the City faces is the vandalism of MyCiTi bus stops and shelters, with the most incidents occurring along MyCiTi routes in Atlantis, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Table View and the inner city. ‘Up to 41% – that is nearly half – of the MyCiTi bus stops and shelters in Atlantis were vandalised in November 2016; 24% of those in Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha; 6% of those in the inner city; and 7% of the bus stops and shelters along routes in Table View. These statistics are shocking. Most disturbing of all is the fact that we are not seeing any behavioural change or decrease in the number of incidents reported each month. Sadly, it is the commuters from these communities who suffer the most. They are the ones having to wait at bus stops with broken roofs and glass panels meant to protect them from the rain, wind and sun,’ said Councillor Herron. Anyone with information about criminal activities is requested to please phone the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 or to contact their nearest police station. End

2017-01-09T22:00:00Z

GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d

Comment on the proposed lease of City-owned property in Camps Bay and Claremont for telecommunication infrastructure purposes
Comment on the proposed lease of a portion of City-owned property in Hamilton Street, Goodwood
Comment on the proposed lease of a City-owned public place in St Andrew Road, Lavender Hill
Comment on the proposed lease of various City-owned properties for telecommunication infrastructure purposes