51 Putco buses were burned across the Nkangala district in Mpumalanga Monday night. Image: SAPS.
(The Post News)– Two suspects, aged 29 and 37, were taken into custody on Tuesday evening in connection with the arson attack that destroyed 51 Putco buses in multiple depots in Mpumalanga’s Nkangala district.
Their arrest follows a violent incident on Monday night, when armed men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas stormed bus depots, held employees at gunpoint, and set the buses on fire. The arrests were confirmed by a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli. He noted that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday evening after a coordinated operation by a team established under the direction of the acting provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi.
The police stated one of the suspects was found in possession of a victim’s cellphone, as well as a magazine for a 9mm pistol; they also believe the two arrested individuals were involved in the concurrent bus attacks.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi commended the swift response by law enforcement. Major General Mkhwanazi has commended the swift response by law enforcement, saying that they are inspired by the current progress and they hope the team will keep producing results. Police confirmed that further investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, MEC Thulasizwe Thomo for Public Works, Roads, and Transport, alongside MEC Jacky Macie for Community Safety, Security, and Liaison, will visit the Putco bus depot on Wednesday. The MECs are scheduled to meet with the Putco executive team to discuss potential solutions to the crisis and explore measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
During the assault, two employees were injured; one was shot in the leg, while another was struck with a chair. In total, the flames damaged 16 buses in Moloto and 35 in Siyabuswa.
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