47 buses torched in South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 30, (Xinhua/GNA) — South Africa’s Public Utility Transport Corporation (PUTCO), confirmed on Tuesday that 47 of its buses were set alight, and two workers were injured in attacks at its multiple depots in Mpumalanga Province on Monday night.

According to a statement issued by PUTCO, the buses were burnt at four of its depots: Moloto, Wolwekraal, Siyabuswa, and Vaalbank.

“Initial reports indicate that on Monday evening, Jan. 27, 2025, an unknown group of assailants ambushed and bound security at the Moloto depot, before setting buses alight and opening fire inside the depot,” PUTCO spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu said. “The rampage spread throughout the night, with additional depots reporting buses set on fire. In total, approximately 47 buses were burned.”

Xulu noted that the violent attack resulted in two of its employees being injured. He said one was shot in the leg, and another was struck on the head with a chair.

“The company is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in the ongoing investigations,” he said, adding that PUTCO’s buses continue operating in the affected areas under heightened supervision.

According to the latest local media reports, the number of buses torched in Mpumalanga overnight has risen to 50.
GNA