Putco, a leading bus operator in Mpumalanga, is set to fully resume its services on Monday, 3 February, following the devastating torching of at least 51 buses across three depots in the Nkangala region. The announcement was made by Daniel Malherbe, the general manager of Putco in Mpumalanga, on Wednesday, 29 January.
The attack occurred on Monday, 27 January, when a group of armed individuals, driving a white Toyota Quantum, Mercedes-Benz Vito, and VW Polo, set fire to buses at Putco depots in the Moloto, KwaMhlanga, Thabane, and Maphotla areas in Siyabuswa. The attacks destroyed 16 buses in Moloto and KwaMhlanga, as well as 35 buses in Thabane and Maphotla. Additionally, some Putco employees were assaulted during the incident, leaving many commuters stranded.
Malherbe expressed the company’s deep frustration with the damage caused, revealing that Putco has suffered a financial loss of over R200 million due to the destruction. “We have a bus pool for emergencies and have withdrawn 50 buses for safety checks. We’re thoroughly inspecting them to ensure they are roadworthy before they return to service,” Malherbe explained. “By the end of this week, we expect to have 50 buses ready, and operations will be back to normal by Monday.”
Two suspects, aged 29 and 37, have been arrested in connection with the attacks and are expected to appear in court soon. Mpumalanga police spokesman Brigadier Donald Mdluli confirmed the arrests but declined to comment on whether the suspects had any links to the taxi industry. “We are still investigating and cannot confirm any details at this stage,” Mdluli said. “The focus is on gathering more information to ensure a thorough investigation.”
The police are continuing their search for additional suspects and have assured the public that further arrests may follow.
In the wake of the attacks, Mpumalanga’s Public Works, Roads, and Transport MEC, Thulasizwe Thomo, called the incident a significant setback for both Putco and the provincial transport department. Thomo emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to address conflicts and prevent further disruptions to public transport services. “It’s vital that all partners engage constructively when challenges arise,” he said.
With the buses gradually returning to service, Putco aims to restore full operational capacity next week, offering much-needed relief to commuters and helping to rebuild trust in public transportation in the region.
