JOHANNESBURG — A new Johannesburg bus network said Monday striking bus drivers had agreed to return to work less than two weeks before South Africa's World Cup.
The day-long strike Monday left commuters of the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network -- which will be used to ferry fans during the month long tournament -- stranded between the sprawling Soweto township and central Johannesburg.
"The strike is officially over and the workers have agreed to return to work as per court order," the city's bus network known as Rea Vaya said in a statement on its website.
The labour court ruled the strike illegal after an urgent application was lodged and full bus services will resume on Tuesday.
Monday's downing of tools followed a strike earlier this month on the bus system, was launched in August 2009 in Johannesburg and is scheduled for completion in 2013.
Johannesburg hosts two World Cup stadiums with the tournament's main pitch Soccer City on the outskirts of Soweto and the refurbished Ellis Park in central Johannesburg.
The roll out has drawn fierce opposition from South Africa's powerful private minibus taxi industry.
A man appeared in court on Monday over a bus attack earlier this month in Soweto in which one person was killed and several injured.
Gauteng police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini said the 36 year-old man was arrested on Friday and another two suspects were being tracked down.
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