SATAWU condemns arson attacks at PUTCO bus depots, calls for intervention
A group of people stormed depots in the Nkangala District on Monday night and 51 buses were torched.
At least 45 Putco buses were gutted in arson attacks at four of the company's depots in Mpumalanga. Picture: Supplied by Lindokuhle Xulu/Putco
CAPE TOWN - The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) has condemned the attacks at PUTCO depots in Mpumalanga and said the situation needed to be addressed urgently.
A group of people stormed depots in the Nkangala District on Monday night and 51 buses were torched.
A security guard was shot and wounded while two employees were injured during an assault.
Two suspects were arrested on Tuesday night and police said that investigations into the violence were ongoing.
The bus operator has blamed ongoing tensions with the taxi industry, adding that its operations were often disrupted by taxi associations over routes.
SATAWU's Amanda Tshemese: "The union is more worried about the safety of its members and the unorganised workers. This is not the first incident. It is very clear that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed urgently to avoid further recurrences. PUTCO claims that taxi associations might be involved due to several disagreements between the two parties. If these suspicions are true, we are calling on the provincial government, led by the premier and the MEC of transport, to intervene."