Intercape confirms terrifying bus robbery
While confirming a terrifying incident in which Intercape passengers were robbed at gunpoint on their way to Harare, the bus company did not answer questions regarding the passenger safety of Namibian travellers during the festive season.
The company responded to a series of questions by Namibian Sun yesterday with a media release that said it strives to keep passengers safe at all times.
Intercape also apologised for any inconvenience caused to its “valuable passengers”.
Namibian Sun wanted to know what security measures the company would be implementing, specifically to protect the many Namibian passengers who use the service during the festive season. A WhatsApp message first alerted the public to the robbery.
“I am on an Intercape bus right now and just before midnight we experienced a shocking robbery executed movie-style by eight armed robbers (one had an AK rifle, others had pistols and knives).”
Four were on the bus as passengers who stopped the bus and they were joined by another four men who terrorised all passengers and demanded cash and cellphones,” the message said.
According to the message some passengers were beaten, but no one was seriously injured.
Intercape Media said they can confirm that an Intercape bus was robbed at about 23:00 on 7 December.
They said the bus departed from Johannesburg and was on its way to Harare when the driver and passengers were detained with firearms.
“The incident was reported to the Polokwane police.”
Intercape Media said further the company's senior management team immediately addressed the situation and is working hand in hand with police to investigate the incident.
The police have obtained statements from the victims, after which the bus travelled further and arrived safely at its destination.
“This completely random, uncontrollable act by criminals masquerading as passengers is regretted by Intercape and we would like to confirm that as an organisation we strive to keep our passengers safe at all times.”
Intercape Media was, however, not able to provide information about how the robbers got away or if any arrests have been made.
Questions regarding what measures will be implemented to keep passengers safe, especially during the busy festive season, while traveling to and from Namibia, were also not answered.
ELLANIE SMIT
The company responded to a series of questions by Namibian Sun yesterday with a media release that said it strives to keep passengers safe at all times.
Intercape also apologised for any inconvenience caused to its “valuable passengers”.
Namibian Sun wanted to know what security measures the company would be implementing, specifically to protect the many Namibian passengers who use the service during the festive season. A WhatsApp message first alerted the public to the robbery.
“I am on an Intercape bus right now and just before midnight we experienced a shocking robbery executed movie-style by eight armed robbers (one had an AK rifle, others had pistols and knives).”
Four were on the bus as passengers who stopped the bus and they were joined by another four men who terrorised all passengers and demanded cash and cellphones,” the message said.
According to the message some passengers were beaten, but no one was seriously injured.
Intercape Media said they can confirm that an Intercape bus was robbed at about 23:00 on 7 December.
They said the bus departed from Johannesburg and was on its way to Harare when the driver and passengers were detained with firearms.
“The incident was reported to the Polokwane police.”
Intercape Media said further the company's senior management team immediately addressed the situation and is working hand in hand with police to investigate the incident.
The police have obtained statements from the victims, after which the bus travelled further and arrived safely at its destination.
“This completely random, uncontrollable act by criminals masquerading as passengers is regretted by Intercape and we would like to confirm that as an organisation we strive to keep our passengers safe at all times.”
Intercape Media was, however, not able to provide information about how the robbers got away or if any arrests have been made.
Questions regarding what measures will be implemented to keep passengers safe, especially during the busy festive season, while traveling to and from Namibia, were also not answered.
ELLANIE SMIT
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