Kenny Kunene is offering a reward of R100,000 for information regarding Monday night's shooting that claimed the lives of two Rea Vaya bus drivers.
Image: Facebook
City of Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene has offered a R100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murders of two Rea Vaya drivers in Soweto.
The two Rea Vaya bus drivers were shot and killed in different incidents in Soweto and have led to an immediate suspension of bus services in the area.
The fatal shooting occurred on Monday night, February 3, one in Mapetla and another one in Protea Glen.
In a statement, the Rea Vaya operators have since advised passengers to use alternative public transport. Bus services will remain suspended until further notice.
Gauteng police are investigating the murder of two Rea Vaya bus drivers who were shot and killed in Soweto.
Image: X/@Abramjee
Gauteng police have launched an investigation into the deaths.
Kunene expressed shock and outrage over the killings, calling the act barbaric and a declaration of war on the government and the people of Soweto.
He extended his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues, emphasising the emotional toll on the community.
“Women are now widows, children are orphans. Fathers, brothers, grandfathers have been taken away from their families,” he said.
“I pray and plead with you to assist the police in finding these barbarians who have killed our people, who caused trauma throughout Soweto and throughout the Rea Vaya community.”
While a police investigation has been launched, Kunene appealed for public assistance, and committed a personal reward of R100,000 for anyone who helps with the arrest of the suspects.
He said the reward would be paid from his own pocket, not from the City or Department of Transport.
”It is the money that I am committing as Kenny Kunene to show the commitment that I have in making sure that these barbarians are brought to book, I will not wait for the case to be finalised.
“Once the police have confirmed that indeed they have evidence linking those that have been arrested to this barbaric act, I will make R100,000 available to whoever assisted the police,” Kunene added.
On Tuesday, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed to IOL News that the police are investigating cases of murder after two bus drivers were shot and killed in two separate incidents.
“In the first incident, it is reported that the driver had stopped a robot along Wildchestnut street in Protea when he was shot and killed by unknown suspects,” Nevhuhulwi said.
She said in the second incident at Tshithuthune Street, Mapetla, an eyewitness, who was the last passenger on the bus, reported hearing gun shots and taking cover.
“After it got quiet, he realised that the driver was shot, he tried to drive the bus but crashed into a wall,” she said.
Nevhuhulwi said the driver was declared dead on the scene and the passenger sustained no injuries.
She added that the motive for the shootings is unknown, and police investigations are ongoing
IOL News