Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the torching of 51 Putco buses in Nkangala District, Mpumalanga on Monday night.
Police said their arrest emanates after a group of armed individuals driving a white Toyota Quantum, Vito Minibus and a VW Polo set fire to the buses at various Putco bus depots in the area.
The buses were burned in the early hours of Tuesday at Putco’s depots in Moloto, Wolwekraal, Siyabushwa and Vaalbank.
During the incident, a security guard sustained a gunshot wound while other Putco employees sustained injuries after they were attacked by the group.
The bus company said the costs are estimated at R150 millilon.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa have condemned the incident, describing it as an act of aggression.
“PUTCO’s bus fleet plays a key role in moving about 200 000 commuters a day, with its biggest operation being in Mpumalanga.
The Minister and Deputy Minister have thus characterized the act as economic sabotage given the critical role that the bus industry plays in the mobility of the workforce in the country.
The Minister has instructed the department to organise an urgent meeting with Natjoint to discuss this matter and develop necessary integrated response,” said the department spokesperson, Collen Msibi.
Moreover, the department expressed concern that interfering with the company’s operations may regrettably have disastrous impact on the commuters in Mpumalanga, who rely on the bus operator to commute to as far as Gauteng daily.
The company said the damage affected 200 000 daily commuters, but it has implemented contingency measurers.
“Despite the damage, PUTCO’s buses are continuing to operate in the affected areas under heightened supervision.
The company is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in the ongoing investigations,” said the company spokesperson, Lindokuhle Xulu.
