Bus driver recovering in ICU

Johannesburg - The bus driver who was shot and wounded when he tried to protect his passengers during an armed robbery on the bus in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, on Wednesday had been operated on and was recovering, Metrobus said.

The driver, Selelo Edward Marwala, 58, was shot in the abdomen and was recovering in intensive care at the Flora Clinic after the bullet was removed, Metrobus spokesperson Esther Dryer said.

One passenger had a graze wound. No one else was injured.

Dryer said a group of six armed men jumped onto the bus when it stopped on the corner of Hendrik Potgieter and Ontdekkers roads to pick up a passenger just before 06:00.

"The men started shooting randomly, possibly to scare the passengers and the bus driver intervened."

Dryer said Metrobus were looking into ways to ensure the safety of the passengers on this particular route as there had been similar incidences in the past.

“We’ve had discussions with the police and the JMPD [Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department] and if they cannot assist us we will have to make use of a private security company,” Dryer said.

“It has happened in the past but it is the first time that someone is shot and we suspect it is the same gang.”

Metrobus hoped police could escort the buses or having officers riding with the passengers.