At least 12 people have been identified as possibly being responsible for the recent torching of trucks across three provinces.
At least 20 trucks set alight since Saturday in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, respectively.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Wednesday, Police Minister Bheki Cele said the identified suspects have not been arrested yet, noting that the police are investigating.
“There might be four groupings that have been identified now, coordinated in one centre somewhere in the northern KwaZulu-Natal,” Cele said.
“So yes about 12, but the Limpopo one might be a link with service delivery in that area. These other two in KZN clearly are coordinated and organised kind of crime.”
Cele added that intelligence suggests that truck attacks “may be business related” and not just random acts of criminality.
“Evidence before us points to organised, co-ordinated and sophisticated operations that seek to undermine and sabotage the state.
“We are encouraged that persons of interest have been identified through investigations and intelligence-collection.”
According to Cele, the government is working hard to find answers. On Tuesday night, four more trucks were set alight in Mpumalanga, leaving a female passenger with injuries.
Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison Vusi Shongwe condemned the two incidents.
Shongwe said the security cluster and all role players have since been called to work around the clock to bring the perpetrators to book.
He called on members of the public and the trucking industry to provide any valuable information that may assist the police to bring the perpetrators to book.
“Although we don’t know whether the two cases are related or not, they are causing the country great damage and this, in our view, constitutes economic sabotage,” Shongwe said.
“The trucking industry plays an important role in the development of our economy and the sustenance of livelihoods.
“We believe with a more coordinated effort in approaching this situation perpetrators will be brought to book.
“It is worrisome that trucks seem to be constantly targeted by some community members, especially when they protest. They have often blockaded the roads using trucks and this has placed many truck drivers’ lives in danger.”
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