The police in Mpumalanga are on high alert and have heightened visibility to monitor the situation on the N4 and areas in and around Vosman near eMalahleni.

This follows after an incident on Wednesday night, in which four trucks and two bakkies were set alight. Scores of other vehicles were reportedly also damaged when some members of the community pelted stones at passing vehicles.

According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, preliminary reports indicate that the incident erupted following reports of a lack of electricity in areas like Sangweni and Vosman.

“A case of public violence was opened and multiple charges of malicious damage to property were laid, following the dreadful incident. No one has been arrested so far, however, the police, including some members of the Public Order Policing Unit, continue to maintain their presence in the area.”

The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has called on members of the public to refrain from acts of violence, and said though they have a right to protest, this should be done within the ambit of the law.