NUMSA CONDEMNS THE VIOLENT ATTACK ON WORKERS AT PUTCO IN MPUMALANGA

NUMSA CONDEMNS THE VIOLENT ATTACK ON WORKERS AT PUTCO IN MPUMALANGA

By Phakamile Hlubi-Majola

NUMSA National Spokesperson

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) condemns in the strongest terms, the violent attack on workers at Putco bus company in Mpumalanga.

Two workers were injured – one was shot in the leg and the other was assaulted with a chair, after fifty one buses were set alight at four depots in Mpumalanga.

According to media reports, a group of armed assailants ambushed security and tied them up before setting the busses on fire inside the depot on Monday night.

NUMSA is deeply concerned about these attacks because the burning of these busses may also have a negative impact on the bus company’s financial performance.

It would be a tragedy if this incident were to affect the company profits to the extent that it leads to job losses.

We welcome the news that the South African Police Services have already arrested two suspects for the crime.

According to a report media, “The men, aged 29 and 37, were arrested on Tuesday night and one of them was allegedly found with a phone belonging to one of the security guards who were attacked during the arson on Monday night in the Nkangala area. Police also found magazine for a 9mm pistol.”

NUMSA is hopeful that the criminal justice system will act swiftly to deal with the alleged perpetrators. The injured workers could have lost their lives in this incident. NUMSA sends its best wishes to them, and we wish them a speedy recovery.