Intercape says the latest ruling holding police in contempt of court is a victory for the company amid rogue taxi associations' ongoing "violent campaign" against the long-distance coach industry.

On Tuesday, the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda found national police commissioner Fannie Masemola and Eastern Cape police commissioner Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene in contempt for failing to implement a plan to protect long-haul buses in the province.

Judge Motilal Sunil Rugunanan ordered the South African Police Service (SAPS) to take immediate steps to implement a safety plan to "provide for the safety and security of long-distance bus drivers and passengers in the Eastern Cape".

In the last three years, Intercape has opened more than 176 cases with the police, largely in the Eastern Cape.

Many of these cases involved violent incidents, and a number of the attacks led to serious injuries to employees and passengers.

Intercape executive chairperson Johann Ferreira said: "The ruling in favour of Intercape is important for the safety of our passengers and our business, but it is also hugely significant for the South African public."

He added:

Intercape is responsible for the safety of an estimated 360 000 passengers travelling with us this December, and we take this responsibility seriously.

Ferreira said the courts have repeatedly supported the company's calls for police to perform their duty to protect the public.

"Our hope is that [the] ruling will help make our country and our citizens safer by underlining the importance of the rule of law."

"Despite the extraordinary lengths that private enterprise has to go to defend its rights to do business safely in South Africa, our hope is that Intercape's continued legal victories will inspire other businesses to stand up and defend their interests and those of the public," he said.

The long-haul bus company has been embroiled in an 18-month legal battle to compel authorities to protect its passengers, drivers and property.

News24 previously reported that Ferreira said the cost of repairing damaged buses and providing medical treatment for staff and passengers injured in attacks was around R50 million.