Calm returned to the Putco bus company’s depot in Bloed Street, Pretoria, by Thursday morning after stranded commuters went on the rampage on Wednesday, police said.
Commuters infuriated by a bus drivers’ strike, which left them without transport home, torched six Putco buses on Wednesday evening and set fire to a ticket office.
The protesters threw stones at buses and police and fire-brigade vehicles before being dispersed with rubber bullets, said police spokesperson Inspector Anton Breedt.
Shortly before 9pm, calm returned after an agreement was reached with commuters and some buses started leaving the depot with passengers.
Breedt said a reporter caught in the turmoil was beaten and had his cellphone stolen. He was not seriously injured.
A commuter in the crowd was shot in the leg, allegedly by a bus driver, and was admitted to the Pretoria Academic hospital in a stable condition.
Emergency services spokesperson Johan Pieterse said two firefighters were slightly injured when they were pelted with stones.
Putco’s Pretoria office said a meeting was under way on Thursday between company management and trade-union representatives. The exact nature of the dispute between the two parties could not immediately be determined.
Breedt said no arrests have been made, but police are investigating a case of public violence. — Sapa