Commuters torch R20m in buses

By Barry Bateman

Thousands of bus passengers north-east of Pretoria could be stranded this week after 21 Putco buses were set on fire by angry commuters protesting against poor service following the suspension of 17 ticket sellers about two weeks ago.

Irate passengers angered by the shortage of ticket sellers on Monday commandeered several buses and smashed them into each other, barricading the road near the Big Tree shopping mall in Moloto, Mpumalanga, about 50km north-east of the city.

No one was injured but Putco estimates that more than R20-million worth of property was destroyed in the fire whose smoke could be seen as far as 20km away.

Putco spokesperson Matlakala Motloung said the lack of manpower stemmed from the recent suspension of 17 ticket sellers for alleged misappropriation of funds.

"We brought in replacement ticket sellers but they were selling very slowly. Some of the sellers were intimidated and a message went out that the passengers could board the buses for free. This frustrated them and led to the riot," she said.

Motloung said plans were in place to sell tickets to the commuters at points in Pretoria and Moloto. "No passenger will lose any money because of this. We recognise that people have problems but we discourage violence," he said.

Police said several people were arrested for arson and malicious damage to property.

A bus driver who did not want to be named said ticket-sellers were supposed to sell tickets on Sunday but they did not arrive at the bus depot in Moloto.

When the ticket sellers did not arrive on Monday morning, the driver said he explained to the passengers that they would still be able to ferry them to the city although they did not have tickets. But the passengers were concerned about how they were going to get back home in the afternoon.

"They wouldn't listen to us. They forced everyone off the buses. Some drove them into the road and set them alight," he said.

Another driver said: "They don't think of tomorrow, only of now so they will suffer for the rest of the week."

Big Tree Spar manager, Frits Christie, said he closed the store because of threats from some commuters. "They said that when they are finished with the buses they would come for the shop."

Christie said he arrived for work at about 6am and found dozens of buses blockading the road outside the mall.

Cullinan police spokesperson Inspector Johannes Jaftha said police received the call about the violence at about 6am and arrived to find buses already burning.

Stranded commuter Triphina Masilela said she was picked up at 5.15am from the bus stop near her home in Kwaggafontein, about 20km from Moloto.

She said when they arrived at Moloto, buses were blocking the road. "Someone got on to the bus and said if we don't want trouble we should get off the bus. Then they smashed the windows so we got off the bus. As soon as everyone was off they set it alight," she said.

- Police said 15 people had been arrested. They are expected to appear in Cullinan magistrate's court on Wednesday on charges of arson and malicious damage to property.