Putco suspends bus operations amid attacks, hijacking
Bus service Putco has made a U-turn on its decision to run at full capacity on Monday after several of its buses were attacked or hijacked on Monday morning.
The incidents come amid an EFF-led national shutdown in protest against the ongoing load shedding crisis.
The party is also calling for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu says the decision was made following a attacks on some of their staff and buses.
“In Soweto buses were stoned and passengers as well as drivers had to flee, police assisted in recovering one of the damaged buses. In Eldorado Park services could not operate as roads for our staff buses to pick up drivers were blocked.
“A bus was hijacked at the Soshanguve depo operations where a female driver was forced out of the bus, which was used to block the road. Routes between Mpumalanga and Tshwane were blocked, including Moloto Road. One of the buses in the area had to take refuge at the Kwa-Mhlanga police station”.
Xulu says they are monitoring the situation and will provide an update on the possible resumption of services.
“Putco has logged these and many other incidents to the command centre established by the government. Our operation teams are monitoring the developments and will advise on the coverage of the afternoon shift, which at this stage looks very much unlikely”.
Meanwhile, EFF members across the country are gathering at various meet-points to begin their march.
On Sunday night several videos trended on social media of EFF members protesting at several provinces and some getting arrested by the police.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Sunday said the state has a responsibility to protect critical infrastructure.
“Individuals have been going around different parts of the country, inappropriately and illegally instructing businesses to remain closed under the guise of the so-called shutdown. The state has the responsibility to protect critical infrastructure, the state has the responsibility to ensure that citizens can go on about their day in a normal way and in doing so that they are safe and not subjected to any anarchy or any form of violence.”
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