A sickening bus assault in Brisbane has sparked outrage after 21-year-old Echibaketa Byamungu was granted bail, despite confronting video allegedly showing him violently punching a 46-year-old bus driver multiple times in front of passengers.
The incident, which took place during peak hour in South Bank, left the driver with facial bruising, swelling, and tinnitus — but it’s the court’s decision to release the accused that’s now fueling public anger.
The driver was reportedly trying to remove Byamungu from the bus over a payment issue when things escalated. His lawyer claims the driver initiated physical contact, but Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner slammed the attack as “appalling” and “completely unacceptable.”
The Council now plans to ban the accused from city buses for two years once court proceedings wrap up. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner posted the video of the alleged assault on social media, denouncing the violent act while also expressing support for the city’s multicultural values.
Meanwhile, the Rail Tram and Bus Union warns that violence against drivers is spiralling, calling for stronger protections and permanent bans for repeat offenders.
