News24 | Eastern Cape bus shooting leaves woman dead, two injured

A female passenger died and two others were injured when a bus was shot at in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.

• A female passenger died and two others were injured when a MakalalaTrans bus was shot at between Ngcobo and Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.
• The bus is owned by controversial businessman Bonke Makalala, who had previously been arrested on multiple murder and attempted murder charges.
• Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha condemned the “barbaric” attack, and said it could be linked to transport sector turf wars.

A woman was killed when the bus she was travelling in was shot at on the R61 between Ngcobo and Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday afternoon.

A co-driver and one other person were injured and taken to a hospital.

The MakalalaTrans bus was en route from Mthatha to Cape Town when the shooting occurred.

Controversial businessman Bonke Makalala, 34, owns the bus company.

Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha said he was outraged by the “barbaric” attack.

“We cannot allow such acts of violence to go unpunished. Those responsible for this heinous act must be swiftly brought to justice. The safety of our people and the integrity of our transport system cannot be compromised,” he said.

Nqatha said he was concerned that the incident had occurred at a time when the demand for long-distance travel was at its seasonal peak.

He said the attack could be linked to unfair competition or turf-related disputes in the public transport sector.

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“The right of every citizen to use a mode of transport of their choice must be respected and protected. Violence and intimidation have no place on our roads or in our communities,” he added.

He called on law enforcement authorities to intensify their investigations and for the public to assist the police with any information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

The department conveyed its condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Eastern Cape police were approached for comment, which will be added if received.

Makalala was arrested in Pretoria in late 2023 on murder and attempted murder charges. The police transported him to Cape Town, where he appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.

He was also accused of the illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Makalala was charged again in connection with additional allegations of murder in June 2024, while he was incarcerated at Brandvlei Correctional Centre in the Western Cape.