Durban — A motorist filmed two youths hanging from the back of a bus in a township in eThekwini recently.
It is believed the video was taken last Friday in Inanda, north of Durban.
In the 28-second clip, two youths, with backpacks on their backs, are seen hanging on to the back of an eThekwini municipal bus.
The youths hold on while the bus travels up- and downhill, as well as over a speed hump, until they get off when the bus comes to a halt at a bus stop.
Before the youths jump off, the motorist who took the video can be heard saying: “Izingane zenu ke lezi”, loosely translated as “these are your children”.
The video was posted to Facebook.
In the comments, Facebook users agreed with the motorist, who had said the youth did not listen and later on they would get hurt.
Another person who commented said youths were now performing this act on buses now that there were no trains running.
Another Facebook user said the bus stunt was a common activity carried out by the youth.
In June 2022, municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the municipality condemned the vandalism of Durban Transport buses.
The city’s transport authority warned communities against throwing stones at buses and the life-threatening consequences of riding on the rear bumper of a moving bus.
“Durban Transport has been faced with this dangerous behaviour conducted by young adults, including schoolchildren,” Mayisela said.
“On most afternoons, stoning and bumper-riding buses has become the norm, especially in areas like uMlazi and Ntuzuma.”
Mayisela said that in the eight months leading up to June about 82 buses had their windows damaged as a result of the stone-throwing.
That affected the city’s ability to provide an efficient public transport service while the windows of the buses were being repaired. This resulted in unnecessary costs for the council and affected bus availability.
“Damaging municipal property is a criminal offence and may lead to prosecution.
“The youth are discouraged from riding on the back of moving buses, which poses a danger to them and other motorists, and could prove fatal,” Mayisela said.
The municipality urged parents and the public to help it in putting a stop to the dangerous behaviour.
The public can report any incidents they witness to the police or the uMlazi Depot on 031 906 2651, the Ntuzuma Depot on 031 504 3421, or eThekwini Transport Authority on 082 268 4185.
Daily News