Over 20 stranded on Tom Jones Street
A group of 22 Malawian nationals, including a seven-month-old baby, have been stranded in a bus along Tom Jones Street for four days.
This is the final resting place of the bus, which has given its occupants an uphill battle since May 12.
According to one of the occupants, Peter Harawa, the bus was supposed to depart from Randburg on May 12 – but experienced mechanical problems straight away, delaying the journey.
The vehicle first broke down on Marlboro Road, along the N3.
Harawa said the owner of the bus was contacted.
“We called the owner and he said he would come with another bus, but he did not,” said Harawa.
The occupants went to the Alexander Police Station to report the matter.
Harawa said the passengers were stuck on the N3 for three days.
On May 17, the bus was towed to Diepsloot, where the passengers paid over R14 000 to have the bus serviced, which included problems with the gasket, cylinder head, bearings and oil.
There was a series of other breakdowns, until the bus was towed to Tom Jones Street on May 30.
The community of Benoni started assisting the stranded yesterday, after hearing of their plight.
Since then, the Salvation Army in Benoni has accommodated the occupants by allowing them to bath at their facility.
Various other people and supermarkets have donated food, blankets and coffee.
Ward 28’s Clr Mary Goby told the City Times that the Malawian Embassy and the South African Department of Home Affairs were contacted last night to assist the stranded.
Goby said the victims need to be housed, as they have been sleeping on the bus.
An appeal has also been made for baby clothing as the seven-month-old passenger is only wearing a nappy and a shirt.
Another woman on the bus gave birth to premature twins on May 31.
More details to follow.
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