2 arrested in connection with torching 51 buses at 4 Mpumalanga depots appear in court

The two men arrested in connection with the torching of 51 Putco buses in the KwaNdebele region of the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga on January 27 were remanded in custody after appearing in the Mdutjane Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Isaac Mabena (29) and Luthando Trevor Skosana (37) were arrested a day after the incident, on January 28. They are facing charges of malicious damage to properties and business robbery.

Dozens of Putco busses were set alight in a series of attacks last night.

Depots in Moloto, Wolwekraal, Siyabuswa, and Vaalbank were targeted.

Employees of the bus company were injured, one shot in the leg, the other suffered a blow to the head. pic.twitter.com/Q0ePzl9pGF

— Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTrackerz) January 28, 2025

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli says the case was postponed to February 6, when the suspects are expected to make a formal bail application.

Sixteen buses were burnt at the Moloto Depot in KwaMhlanga, 18 in Maphotla and 17 in Thanane, in Siyabuswa.

Mdhluli says several Putco employees were assaulted during these incidents.

“During the arrest, one of the suspects was allegedly found in possession of a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims, and an empty magazine for a 9mm pistol. The police are convinced that these two individuals were involved in the bus depot incidents. Further investigations are ongoing,” he says.