The Transport Department said Putco’s bus fleet plays a critical role in moving about 200 000 commuters a day. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has condemned the torching of 50 Putco buses at four Mpumalanga depots, labelling the act as “economic sabotage.”
On Monday night, a group of armed suspects driving a white Toyota Quantum ambushed security and torched the buses at the KwaNdebele region of the Nkangala District Municipality.
The violent incident left two employees injured – one was shot in the leg and another was struck on the head with a chair.
The transport department said Putco’s bus fleet is critical in moving about 200 000 commuters daily in Gauteng and Limpopo, with its biggest operation in Mpumalanga.
Creecy said the bus industry plays a vital role in the mobility of the workforce in the country.
The minister’s spokesperson, Collen Msibi, said Creecy had instructed the department to organise an urgent meeting with Natjoints to discuss this matter and develop the necessary integrated response.
“The transport ministry fears that interfering with the company’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 on a daily basis.
ALSO READ: Mpumalanga police on high alert after arsonists torch more than 50 buses [VIDEOS]
“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,” Msibi said.
Msibi said the department will continue to support any effort taken to prevent acts of sabotage on the country’s public transport system.
“The minister and deputy minister (Mkhuleko Hlengwa) 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,” Msibi said.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said they have heightened visibility following the incident.
Mdhluli said no arrests have been made.
ALSO READ: Several Putco buses torched in suspected arson attack in Mpumalanga [VIDEOS]
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