Four suspects in Putco bus arson to appear in Mdutjane Court

Four men accused of torching 51 Putco buses at depots in Mpumalanga’s Nkangala district a fortnight ago, are expected to appear before the Mdutjane Magistrate’s Court in Siyabuswa.

Mduduzi Masango and Steven Mthombeni were arrested on Tuesday and will join the two other co-accused Isaac Mabena and Luthado Skosana in the dock. They were arrested last month.

PUTCO bus company has confirmed that two of its workers have been wounded in an incident in which 47 of its buses were torched in Mpumalanga. It says attacks have been reported at four of its depots in the province.#MorningLive #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/SBsL6v1B7o

— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) January 28, 2025

During the attack, the suspects were wearing balaclavas and black clothing and reportedly held employees at gunpoint. Several workers were assaulted, with one security guard sustaining a gunshot wound and others suffering injuries from beatings.

Authorities believe the latest arrests could help uncover the motive behind the coordinated attack.

The four face charges of malicious damage to property.

#sapsMP [UPDATE] Two additional suspects, aged 31 and 33, were arrested by #SAPS today at Siyabuswa in connection with the torching of Putco buses in Nkangala District two weeks ago. The total number of the suspects arrested thus far is four.

The suspects have been charged… pic.twitter.com/aeaBbsiUNL

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 11, 2025

Two suspects arrested in connection with torching of 51 Putco buses