Police in KwaZulu-Natal have confirmed that two more trucks were torched on Monday night.
This after six trucks were set alight early on Sunday morning, which resulted in the temporary closure of the Van Reenen’s Pass. It is believed that the attack on Monday took place at Canefields between eNseleni and Empangeni.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said the incident happened as the trucks were waiting in a queue along the N2 highway.
“It is alleged that a group of armed men attacked the drivers of the two trucks and robbed them of their belongings. The men were forced out of the trucks before the trucks were set alight,” said Naicker.
Naicker confirmed that Empangeni police are investigating a case of armed robbery, malicious damage to property, and attempted murder.
Meanwhile, 11 trucks were torched on the N3 and N4 in Mpumalanga at the weekend. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Salvy Mohlala said the motive is not known yet.
“We don’t know the motive. It is alleged that two vehicles came in and stopped those particular trucks, instructed the drivers to get out of the trucks and then they set the trucks alight,” Mohlala said.
Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela, provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, has condemned the attacks.
“We are a country with laws and we cannot allow our country to be subjected to this kind of criminal behaviour,” said Manamela.
“An example should be made out of the people behind this act. Besides the great financial loss caused, other road users were inconvenienced as the road was closed for hours, as police and other role players were busy with investigation and assessment.
“The perpetrators thereof should be hunted down and be brought to book.”
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