Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Fingers of accusation for the torching of 51 Putco buses are pointing at the minibus taxi industry, allegedly spooked by lower prices offered by the bus company.
The recently adjusted lower bus fares – through the new smart tap card system – are thought to be drawing passengers away from using minibus taxis that cost more per trip.
On Monday night, arsonists torched buses at four depots in Mpumalanga.
RELATED: Arsonists Torch 47 Putco Buses At 4 Depots In Mpumalanga – The Bulrushes
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said their preliminary investigation revealed that the arsonists of the buses were driving in a white minibus taxi (Quantum).
He said the perpetrators, wearing balaclavas, held employees at the Moloto bus depot at gunpoint before they torched the buses.
Initial reports said 47 buses were torched on Monday, (27 January 2025), but Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said: “A total of 51 Putco busses were torched last night”.
Brigadier Mdhluli said police in Mpumalanga were now on “heightened visibility”.
“The suspects are said to have then shot as well as injured one security guard. It was during this period when the 16 buses were burnt,” said Brigadier Mdhluli
“The injured security officer was taken to hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.”
Brigadier Mdhluli added: “In Maphotla (Siyabuswa area), about 10 suspects attacked and assaulted a security guard then torched the 18 busses.
“The security guard was also taken to hospital for medical treatment.
“In Thabana (Siyabuswa), about 10 suspects went to the bus depot and torched 17 busses.”
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi said they would leave no stone unturned.
“From what we have gathered so far, is that this incident appears to have been well orchestrated,” said Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, adding that a team of investigators had been “put together” to search for the arsonists.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, (28 January 2025), The Bulrushes spoke to several commuters and asked whom they thought was behind the arson attack on Putco buses.
Nomhlekhabo Mahlangu suggested the arson attack could have been driven by jealousy from the struggling minibus taxi industry.
“We don’t understand why taxi people are jealous of Putco,” Mahlangu said.
“Bus fares from here in KwaMhlanga and surrounding areas to Pretoria are now cheaper than taxis.
“Let taxi people mind their business and leave our Putco alone.”
Another commuter Geelboy Thugwana, said: “We will not utilise their taxis as our regular mode of transport to work since their prices are too high for us.
“We will continue to support Putco whatever happens. This is our only cheaper and reliable transport to work.”
Minibus taxi industry representatives were yet to comment on the matter.
The bus company estimates the cost of the destruction of buses and service vehicles at its depots in Mpumalanga at R150 million.
It has since emerged that some of the buses destroyed by arsonists at Putco depots belonged to small independent operators.
Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Transport Thulasizwe Thomo has called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation and bring all the involved perpetrators to book.
“This incident is not only a loss for the bus company but also a severe setback for our communities who depend on this public transport service for their daily commuting,” said MEC Thomo.
“The impact on our residents, particularly in the Nkangala district, cannot be overstated.”
MEC Thomo added: “We urge anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward and assist law enforcement.
“We must work together as a community to ensure the safety and reliability of our transportation system.”
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have condemned “in the strongest of terms” the torching of buses.
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 both characterised the arson attack as “economic sabotage” given the critical role that the bus industry plays in the mobility of the workforce in the country.
Minister Creecy has instructed the department to organise an urgent meeting with Natjoint to discuss this matter and develop a necessary integrated response.
The department warned that interfering with the Putco’s operations may regrettably have a disastrous impact on the commuters in Mpumalanga, who rely on the bus operator to commute to as far as Gauteng daily.
“It is therefore of utmost importance that the law enforcement agencies take every possible course of action to investigate Monday’s incident and bring the perpetrators to book to face the full might of the law.
“The department will also continue to support any effort taken to prevent acts of sabotage on the country’s public transport system.
“The minister and deputy minister wish a speedy recovery to the two employees who were injured in the course of the arson attack and they have also expressed their full support to Putco in this period.”
