Truck torchings: First arrest made in Mpumalanga – report
A security company has reportedly nabbed the first of 12 suspects identified after 21 trucks were set alight in three provinces.
Diligent work by a Mpumalanga-based security company has reportedly resulted in the first arrest in connection with a spate of arsonist attacks on trucks.
Bester Maree of ACSU Security in Ermelo says they received information which led to the tracing of a suspect in Piet Retief, believed to be involved in the torching of four trucks on the N2 yesterday.
“We handed over the suspect to the Sheepmoor police at 03:00,” adds Bester.
He believes more arrests will be made soon.
At the time of publication, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala was not aware of the arrest.
People of interest identified
In a press conference yesterday, Police Minister Bheki Cele said that 12 people of interest have been identified following the burning of 21 trucks in five days.
“Intelligence suggests that attacks on trucks may be business-related and we know that these are not just random acts of criminality. Evidence before us points to organised, co-ordinated and sophisticated operations that seek to undermine and sabotage the state,” the minister said.
Cele said most of the suspects are from KZN and Mpumalanga, and dismissed xenophobia as a reason for these attacks, citing that most of the attacked drivers are South African.
KZN a base for operations
The Witness reported that Cele said while the attacks on trucks are spread across three provinces: KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, they are being co-ordinated from a central point in northern KZN.
He added that the perpetrators could face charges of terrorism.
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