Pretoria: The Ministry of Transport has called on law enforcement to arrest those responsible for the torching of 50 Public Utility Company (PUTCO) buses and ensure that they are prosecuted in court. PUTCO’s bus fleet plays a key role in moving about 200,000 commuters a day, with its biggest operation being in the province of Mpumalanga.
According to South African Government News Agency, PUTCO reported that the buses were set alight on Monday night after unknown men ambushed and tied-up security guards at the Moloto depot before burning buses on site. Two employees were injured during the incident and had to be treated in hospital.
PUTCO stated that shortly after the initial attack, similar incidents were reported at the Wolwekraal and Siyabuswa depots. The company is closely monitoring the situation and has urged the public to assist authorities by providing any information on these coordinated attacks.
Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have condemned the incident, describing it as an act of aggression and economic sabotage due to the essential role the bus industry plays in the mobility of the workforce in the country. The minister has directed the department to convene an urgent meeting with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to formulate an integrated response.
The Ministry of Transport expressed concern over the potential impact on commuters in Mpumalanga, who depend on PUTCO buses to travel as far as Gauteng daily. They emphasized the importance of law enforcement agencies taking swift action to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts to prevent sabotage of the country’s public transport system. The Minister and Deputy Minister extended their wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured employees and pledged their support to PUTCO during this challenging period.