Cape Town – Police have identified 12 people of interest following the recent spate of attacks on freight trucks, according to Police Minister Bheki Cele.
Cele said this during a media briefing on Wednesday.
“We are encouraged that 12 persons of interest have been identified through investigations.
“[They] have been identified by names, some of them by address and some of them by the cars they drive,” he said.
[WATCH] “We are encouraged that 12 persons of interest have been identified through investigations.” – Police Minister Bheki Cele on the #TruckAttacks#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/t6d00asfeY
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 12, 2023
The attacks have resulted in the torching of at least 21 trucks in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga over a span of four days.
Cele said that a high-level meeting has been held with the commissioners of the affected provinces, and law enforcement agencies are closing in on the culprits.
He said that security measures have been implemented, and patrols are being conducted on high-risk routes.
“All major routes have been secured and patrols are being conducted on high-risk routes,” the minister said.
[WATCH] Police Minister Bheki Cele says SAPS has tightened security particularly on major roads amid the rise of attacks on hauling trucks in some parts of the country.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/k5gaNKd472
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 12, 2023
The motives behind the attacks vary across the provinces, with investigations focusing on armed robbery, malicious damage to property, attempted murder, an ongoing labor dispute, and service delivery issues.
The Free State and Gauteng provinces have not experienced targeted attacks on trucks, although incidents involving the industry have occurred.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
