The occupants of two vehicles allegedly ordered the drivers of five trucks in Mpumalanga to stop before setting them alight on Sunday evening.
This is according to police in the province, who said they are still investigating the motive for the attack.
The torching of trucks in Mpumalanga followers a similar incident where six trucks were set alight at the Van Reenen’s pass in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed the incident, saying the trucks were set alight at Waterval Boven.
“We don’t know the motive for the incident. The information at our disposal is that two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux bakkie and a sedan, stopped the trucks just before the Waterval Boven tunnel and set them alight without telling the drivers the motive,” said Mohlala.
Mohlala urged other motorists to drive with caution around the area because the police are still on the scene finalizing their reports.
The attack was not received well by the Road Freight Association (RFA), which described the two incidents as “co-ordinated attacks on the road freight sector”.
Gavin Kelly, CEO of the RFA, said the people who frequently attack the road leg of logistics supply chain need to understand that the long-term effects will bring greater destruction to employment levels.
“This will result in further job losses, as businesses and supporting sectors shrink and trade moves away from South Africa,” Kelly said.
“If this is the same grouping that has been behind such attacks across the country over the past six years, then action needs to be taken against those who promote, plan and implement such criminal actions.
“We have heard the minister of police refer to economic sabotage and many other forms of description, but it would seem that this behaviour continues unabated.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga condemned the attacks and said labour issues are not enough reason to commit crime.
“This is sabotaging the economy, that is why the people who do these things torch them and run away, because they know that they are committing a crime,” Chikunga said.
“These people must be found and face the full might of the law. South Africans need to stand up and call out the people who continue doing this.”
No one has been arrested and the police in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga are investigating the attacks.
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