A fire broke out at Putco’s Moloto depot in Mpumalanga this evening, destroying over 15 buses that are vital for transporting thousands of commuters daily across Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Putco confirms 15 buses gutted in Moloto depot fire
In a statement, Putco confirmed that parts of the depot were also damaged, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
“Over 15 buses and parts of the depot have been affected by the blaze. Investigations are currently underway,” the operator confirmed.
Authorities have yet to comment on whether the fire was an accident or the result of foul play.
Early indications suggest the fire may cause significant disruptions to Putco’s operations, as the affected buses are part of a fleet that transports over 130,000 passengers daily, many of whom are workers and students reliant on subsidised public transport.
Was this arson?
While the cause of the fire remains unconfirmed, the possibility of arson is under scrutiny.
This speculation follows the ongoing tension between Putco and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (DRT), which came to a head in November 2024 during a legal battle over subsidies and operational costs.
The dispute stems from the DRT’s attempts to unilaterally amend contracts with Putco, citing budgetary constraints.
The proposed changes included reducing subsidies by over R20 million monthly, cutting 212 buses from the fleet, and laying off approximately 400 employees.
Putco argued that such reductions would irreparably harm commuters and employees, prompting the company to seek urgent relief from the courts.
In November, Judge Elmarie van der Schyff granted Putco an interim interdict to prevent the DRT from implementing these changes.
The fire at the Moloto depot could add further strain to Putco’s already precarious situation, as the company continues to face operational and financial pressures.