R2.81 million damage: Cape Town buses stoned 582 times in four months

The Democratic Alliance has raised concerns regarding escalating accounts of vandalism against Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) buses in the Western Cape.

GABS is one of two major public transport bus services in Cape Town, alongside MyCiti, and provides commuter bus services throughout the City of Cape Town metropolitan area.

The DA revealed that between 1 April and 31 July 2026, there were 582 reported incidents of stoning of GABS buses.

The estimated damage to these buses amounted to R2.81 million, in addition to stoning-related injuries incurred by three GABS passengers during the four-month period.

By comparison, there were 1,896 GABS bus stoning incidents recorded during the entirety of the 2025/26 financial year.

Western Cape Provincial Parliament member Professor Nomafrench Mbombo said continued vandalism of buses was unacceptable, as it adversely impacts those without other means of transport.

“If residents have frustrations or concerns about Golden Arrow, it should be reported through the appropriate channels,” Mbombo said.

“Destroying buses is not the solution and only makes it harder for people to get to work, school and essential services.”

Damaged buses are temporarily withdrawn from service to undergo repairs, which can lead to service disruptions and delays for commuters.

Thousands of Cape Town residents rely on GABS buses every day to travel to and from work, school, medical facilities, shopping centres, and other essential services.

Collaborative efforts between the Western Cape provincial government, the City of Cape Town, GABS, and law enforcement authorities are underway to further improve safety.

This includes increased law-enforcement visibility at vandalism hotspots, the use of CCTV footage, and the escalation of recurring incidents through formal safety structures, among others.

Affected communities have also been called on to help protect public transport infrastructure by reporting vandalism and service-related concerns rather than taking matters into their own hands.

“The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the measures being implemented to improve safety at identified hotspots, but communities also have a role to play,” Mbombo said.

“The Western Cape government must continue to work with law enforcement and transport stakeholders to strengthen commuter safety and protect our public transport network.”