Jammie Shuttle service to Claremont suspended

An armed threat to a Jammie Shuttle driver has resulted in the suspension until further notice of the Jammie Shuttle service operating along Main Road, Claremont route, a communiqué from Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Njabulo S Ndebele said this morning.

An occupant of a minibus taxi threatened the Jammie Shuttle driver with a firearm at a traffic light yesterday afternoon. No-one was injured but a charge has been laid with the South African Police Services.

Staff and students using that service have been urged to make other arrangements. Other routes have not been affected.

Earlier this week several minibus taxi associations began a staged protest, saying UCT was operating outside the parameters agreed between Sibanye (who operate the Jammie Shuttle service) and the Operating Licence Board.

At a press conference at UCT this morning, Professor Ndebele said there was "no basis" to their protest and that UCT was "perturbed and angered" by the situation.

"This incident is disgraceful and unacceptable. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I call on taxi associations to condemn this behaviour and to assist the SAPS in bringing the culprit to book.

"I simply will not take a chance with the safety of our students and staff."

The university is in urgent talks with various role players to resolve the matter.