Zuko Komisa

Police have detained two individuals in connection with the burning of 51 Putco buses in Mpumalanga.
The suspects, aged 29 and 37, were apprehended on Tuesday night and one of them was allegedly found carrying a phone belonging to one of the security guards who were attacked during the Monday night arson in the Nkangala District. In addition, police discovered a 9mm handgun magazine.
“Their arrests emanate 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. This resulted in the destruction of 16 buses in Moloto and 35 buses in Siyabuswa.
“During the incident, one security guard sustained a gunshot wound and is receiving medical treatment at a local hospital while another employee sustained some injuries after being reportedly assaulted with a chair.
“The suspects, who were wearing balaclavas and black clothing, also reportedly held the employees at gunpoint during the attack,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Donald Mdhluli.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has urged law enforcement to arrest individuals responsible for the torching of 50 Public Utility Company (PUTCO) buses and punish them in court.
PUTCO’s bus fleet transports over 200 000 commuters every day, with its largest operation being in the province of Mpumalanga.
“The Minister and Deputy Minister have thus characterised 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 National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to discuss this matter and develop necessary integrated response,” the Transport Ministry said on Tuesday.
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