SAMWU Calls for the Suspension of Rea Vaya Bus Services Until Worker Safety Can Be Guaranteed
5 February 2025
SAMWU Calls for the Suspension of Rea Vaya Bus Services Until Worker Safety Can Be Guaranteed
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Petrus Mashishi Region (Johannesburg) has been left reeling in shock and devastation following the brutal and senseless assassination of two Rea Vaya bus drivers on 3 February 2024. These cold-blooded killings, which occurred mere minutes apart in Soweto, bear the hallmarks of a coordinated attack by criminals who deliberately targeted Rea Vaya buses. This is not just an attack on individuals; it is an assault on the very fabric of public safety and the dignity of workers who serve our communities.
As a union, our hearts are heavy with grief, and we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families of the two deceased drivers. We mourn with you, and we share in your pain. To the colleagues of these brave workers, who are undoubtedly shaken and traumatised by this horrific event, we offer our words of comfort and solidarity. These were not just drivers; they were breadwinners, fathers, brothers, and sons whose lives were cut short in the most cruel and unjust manner.
While we acknowledge the City’s decision to immediately halt Rea Vaya operations following this tragedy, we are deeply concerned by the rushed decision to resume services on 5 February. This decision, made in the shadow of such a well-planned and executed attack, places the lives of both drivers and commuters at grave risk. The perpetrators remain at large, and the threat of further violence looms large. To resume operations under these circumstances is not only irresponsible but also a betrayal of the trust workers and commuters place in the City to protect them.
The City’s promise to provide escorts for the buses offers little reassurance. Historically, Rea Vaya buses have been escorted by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), but these escorts have significantly diminished due to the fraudulent Afrirent fleet contract, which has left the majority of the JMPD fleet grounded. This failure of leadership and accountability lies squarely at the feet of the City’s management. They have failed in their duty to safeguard the lives of workers, and they must take full responsibility for these tragic killings.
SAMWU firmly believes that even with the deployment of JMPD escorts, the safety of drivers and commuters cannot be guaranteed. The City simply does not have the fleet capacity to ensure adequate protection. We therefore demand the immediate suspension of all Rea Vaya operations until such a time that the safety and lives of commuters and drivers can be assured.
Furthermore, we call on the City of Johannesburg to abandon its reliance on corruption-prone contracts and to urgently embark on a process of procuring its own fleet of vehicles for all departments. The lives of workers and commuters must never again be jeopardised by the failures of mismanagement and greed.
This is a moment for accountability, for action, and for justice. SAMWU stands united with the families of the victims, with our members, and with the broader community in demanding that the City prioritise the safety and dignity of all who rely on public transport. We will not rest until justice is served, and until every worker can return to their duties without fear of violence or death.
Enough is enough!
Issued by SAMWU Petrus Mashishi (Johannesburg) Region
Lebogang Ndawo
Deputy Regional Chairperson
081 459 4221