The number of trucks that have been set alight on the country's highways in the past few days in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga has risen to 20. Two latest incidents are from Mpumalanga where four trucks were burnt in Ermelo and one in Gauteng in Eldorado Park on the N12.
Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said in one of the trucks burnt in Ermelo, a woman who was a passenger sustained burn wounds on her feet as she was allegedly asleep in one of the trucks. She was taken for medical help by the EMS vehicle. "It is alleged that people emerged from the tall grass and approached the trucks with firearms and instructed the drivers to get out otherwise they would burn them inside. The drivers then left and ran away, the trucks were then set alight," said Mohlala. Mohlala said no one has been arrested so far and the police are continuing with their investigations. He said the motive for the attacks is unknown at the moment.
In a video captured by a truck's dashcam on Wednesday morning, a driver is forcefully stopped by a bearded man wearing a hoodie while travelling on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo. The driver stops the truck and is ordered to leave the truck. The man who was carrying a container enters the truck, pours the liquid onto the mattress at the back of the cabin, and sets it alight. He immediately jumped out of the truck as it became engulfed in flames.
On Wednesday, Police Minister Bheki Cele told the media during a briefing that the police have identified 12 suspects linked to the torching of trucks over the past few days. Cele says the police are working closely together to bring a stop to these organised crimes and make arrests. "We are encouraged that 12 persons of interest have been identified through investigations and intelligence collection," Cele told journalists, adding that the Police Ministry has just concluded a high-level meeting with Provincial Commissioners of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga, led by the National Police Commissioner General Masemola. "In this meeting, we were taken through all the incidents of the attacks and burning of 21 trucks in the country's three provinces, namely Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. We have found it necessary to apprise the nation of these criminal operations and outline the response of law enforcement to the isolated and cowardly acts," he said. He added that the plan of action from the police is already underway. "No matter the motive, the country's law enforcement remains on high alert and is hard at work at preventing more attacks but also finding these individuals or gangs of thugs hell-bent on causing havoc on our roads," he said. He added that all freeways have been secured and regular patrols are being conducted along identified high-risk routes.
POLICE CLOSING IN ON ARSONISTS
"Whether it is economic sabotage, labour or service delivery related disputes, police are closing in on those who choose to use violence and intimidation for whatever motive. Intelligence suggests that attacks on trucks may be business related and we know that these are not just random acts of criminality," Cele said. He said evidence pointed to "organised, coordinated and sophisticated operations that seek to undermine and sabotage the state." Police are working with agility and are working closely together to bring a stop to these organised crimes and make arrests. We appeal to road users and motorists and truck drivers to report suspicious people and activities to the police.
