The Portfolio Committee on Police has expressed concern about the low figure for arrests of “perpetrators of attacks and extortion on long-haul buses, despite clear evidence provided by bus companies”, it says in a statement.

The committee pointed out that it held a fruitful engagement with the Golden Arrow Bus Service and the Intercape bus company following numerous reports of violence against those bus companies and a variety of litigation against the South African Police Service (Saps).  

“While we acknowledge the comprehensive work done by the police to implement mitigating initiatives to protect bus companies and their commuters, it remains concerning that of the 300 cases reported between Golden Arrow and Intercape, no arrest has been made by the police.

“What is even more worrying is that among the 300 cases there is a murder case that has not been solved as yet. The arrest and prosecution of perpetrators is the only logical deterrence against such cowardly acts, and the lack of movement in this regard is worrying,” says committee chairperson Ian Cameron.

The committee has resolved that the Saps should provide periodical updates on the progress of the investigations.

Meanwhile, while the committee acknowledged interventions by the Saps to provide escort and police visibility, it warned that these were unsustainable in the long term.

It is on this basis that the committee has called on the police to institute intelligence-led policing to ensure perpetrators are arrested.

Moreover, it advocated for a data-driven approach to policing that focused on ensuring adequate resourcing of hotspot areas.

Extortion, in this case focusing on long-haul buses, had proven to be a major economic constraint to businesses that provided necessary transport services, the committee emphasised.

The committee also expressed appreciation for the collaboration with communities that provided information that was critical to stopping acts of crime.

Meanwhile, the committee said the experience with Golden Arrow had proven the importance of collaboration with local government to combat crime.

“The installation of security cameras and linkage to the city’s command centre can be a valuable force multiplier and an enabler for faster response times. The committee has encouraged closer collaboration with all spheres of government as crime requires a joint effort to overcome,” it stated.

The committee also called for enhanced communications between the Saps and bus companies to share information about interventions that the police were making in combating extortion against their businesses.

“As the committee continues its oversight over extortion, it has become clear that there remains a disconnect between plans and actual implementation of programmes. The low arrest and conviction rate of extortion-related crimes is an area of concern that must be urgently arrested,” it emphasises.