Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Two suspects arrested in connection with the torching of 51 buses at four Putco depots have been unmasked in court.
The suspects, 37-year-old Luthando Trevor Skosana and 29-year-old Isaac Mabena, appeared briefly in the Mdutjane Magistrate’s Court, in Mpumalanga, on Thursday, (30 January 2025).
The pair, arrested a day after the arson attack, were remanded in custody.
Police reports indicate that 51 buses were torched in Nkangala District on Monday night, (27 January 2025), by a group of armed suspects driving in a white Toyota Quantum.
Earlier in the week, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli revealed that a cellphone stolen from an employee at one of the depots and a gun had been recovered during the arrest of the suspects.
The case of the accused – Skosana and Mabena – was postponed to 6 February 2025 for their bail application.
Arson attack site inspection
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday (29 January 2025), Mpumalanga provincial government officials visited the affected Putco depots to inspect the wanton destruction estimated at R150 million.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security, and Liason, Jackie Macie, has described the torching of 51 buses at 4 Putco depots as “economic sabotage”.
Accompanied by MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Transport Thulasizwe Thomo, MEC Macie visited one of the Putco depots in Moloto, Mpumalanga.
There, the wrecks of burnt buses lined up in rows resembling an abandoned Mad Max movie set.
The damages from the arson attack were estimated at R150 million.
“This incident is not just a sabotage to Putco but to the economy of the province because there are a lot of people who are affected who rely on the bus company to ferry them to their work or businesses and to various destinations,” MEC Macie said.
“We therefore call for calm from the people of Nkangala Region as the police continue with their investigation.
“We promise that we will not leave any stone unturned, we will make sure that the perpetrators face the full might of the law.”
The arson attack on Monday night has so far led to the arrest of two suspects.
Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu said 50 buses were made available to replace the burnt buses.
“It is reassuring to note that the bus services have resumed with minimal disruption and we remain focused on ensuring that commuters are not left stranded,” said MEC Thulasizwe Thomo.
“We remain committed to working alongside all relevant authorities and communities to ensure that such incidents do not impede the positive progress we are making in building a reliable, integrated public transport system in our province.
“Our focus will continue to be on ensuring the safety of commuters and maintaining a seamless public transport network.”
