Cape Town – A group of individuals reportedly set five trucks on fire in Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga, on Sunday evening and the police are currently searching for them.
The motive behind the arson remains unknown, but the attackers stopped the trucks, demanded the drivers’ IDs, and then proceeded to set the vehicles ablaze, News24.
“We are not sure what the motive was for setting alight those particular trucks. But [people in] two vehicles stopped the trucks before the Waterval Boven tunnel and set them alight,” the report quoted police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala as saying.
No arrests have been made yet, and motorists are advised to use an alternative route.
Mpumalanga – N4 Route: Truck Attacks near Waterval Boven – ROAD CLOSED – traffic diverted via Schoemanskloof pic.twitter.com/kYBApl2iep
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) July 10, 2023
This incident follows a similar attack where six trucks were set on fire at Van Reenen’s Pass in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday morning.
According to EWN, no one was injured in the attack, but the pass was closed to traffic in both directions between Johannesburg and KZN as clean-up operations continue.
“At this stage, the motive of the attack is unknown. Van Reenen detectives are investigating a case of malicious damage to property. A large police deployment including public order policing unit is still monitoring the situation,” said the police’s Jay Naicker.
The recent arson comes just before the second anniversary of the widespread unrest and looting that took place in South Africa in July 2021.
The Road Freight Association CEO expressed concern over these targeted attacks, emphasizing that they would have long-term negative consequences for employment and trade in South Africa.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
