A total of 23 buses were allegedly set alight in two different depots in the small town of Phokeng, outside of Rustenburg.

Phokeng police have launched two cases of malicious property damage and are currently on the lookout for the people who committed this malicious act.

All these buses belonged to the Bojanala bus depot, six were found burnt on Tuesday (1/10) morning at the Chaneng depot, and a further 17 buses at Tlaseng were also set on fire. The damaged buses' cost was estimated to be R69 million.

“Police in Phokeng request community assistance with regards to two malicious damage to property investigations reported in the early hours of Tuesday morning,” said North West police spokesperson Adéle Myburgh.

Anyone who may have information that can assist the police with the investigation is requested to contact the investigating officer of Phokeng detectives on 076 834 3531 or contact the SAPS number.

Meanwhile, Free State police are yet to blame someone after the damage caused by a fire at the Bethlehem Air Show. A field fire spread rapidly through a parking area near the Bethlehem Air Show around Saturday, 7 September, and damaged at least 19 spectators’ vehicles, of which nine were completely burnt out.

At least 19 spectators' vehicles, of which nine were completely burnt out at the Bethlehem Air Show.

“For the time being, the police have begun a judicial investigation to determine the cause of the fire to determine whether anyone will be held accountable,” said Free State police spokesperson, Lorraine Earle.

The Dihlabeng municipality launched preliminary investigations and they revealed that the fire started on the land opposite the airport known as Gobbles-Foley where some of the spectators had parked.

It is alleged the fire started when children tried to barbecue, without supervision and in a part that was not allocated for it because it did not have proper facilities.

OFM News mvh/cg