The Komatipoort police are investigating the shooting of a truck driver and the torching of four vehicles during a truck driver protest near the Lebombo Border Post on Friday.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala says the incidents are believed to be between truck drivers and members of taxi associations.

The incident was a result of dissatisfaction by the truck operators about the services at the border post, to which taxi operators responded, he adds.

“A confrontation ensued between the two parties. It is alleged that during that confrontation, a firearm was discharged, injuring one of the truck drivers who was immediately rushed to hospital for medical attention,” says Mohlala.

He explains that in retaliation, it is alleged that the truck drivers torched two vehicles belonging to the taxi association at about 07:30 on Friday.

He says a case of attempted murder was reported to the Komatipoort SAPS, but that there was no formal case reported yet for malicious damage to property regarding the torching of the taxi patrol vehicles.

“The Komatipoort police registered a public violence report.”

At about 01:30 on Saturday, two trucks were torched. Mohlala says a case of malicious damage to property was registered.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela condemned the violence and requested the involved parties to bring the relevant departments on board to come up with an amicable solution.

“We cannot allow this situation in which people’s lives are at stake to continue like this when there are possible solutions,” she says.