GUNMEN OPEN FIRE ON VEHICLE OPERATING ON NEW RAPID BUS SYSTEM

The occupants of a minibus opened fire on a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system vehicle in Soweto on 1 September 2009. Reports indicate that the minibus was following the bus on its Johannesburg-Soweto route when the occupants opened fire near the Nancefield Hostel, wounding two passengers. As a result of the incident, security was increased along the bus routes on 2 September. Although there are currently no suspects in the shooting, authorities believe that the perpetrators were minibus taxi drivers; the drivers oppose the BRT system -- which was launched in Johannesburg on 30 August -- fearing that the new public transportation option will put them out of business. The BRT system is part of the South African government's efforts to improve the safety and quality of public transportation throughout the country ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. So far, Johannesburg is the only city with an operational BRT system, but similar systems are also planned for Cape Town, Pretoria and Port Elizabeth.