The driver of one of the trucks torched in Doringkop last week said he was robbed by a mob armed with knobkerries and cane knives in the “extremely frightening” ordeal.

“They robbed me and threatened to kill me if I resisted,” said Bhekudele Ngobese of Greytown.

Two timber trucks were torched by angry service delivery protesters in the farming district of Doringkop in KwaDukuza last week.

Ngobese had been delivering a load of timber from Greytown to Isithebe last Wednesday.

“They instructed me to park the truck across the road next to the other truck that was already burnt. I did that.

“They then asked me to get out of the truck and one of them took my cell phone and wallet,” said Ngobese.

Fortunately, a vehicle came past and the protesters instructed the driver to give Ngobese a lift to KwaDukuza.

“When I got to the Engen garage in KwaDukuza, I managed to call my boss and inform him.

“When we went back to where I left the truck, we discovered it had been burnt.”

The owner of the truck, Steven Bolkanyo of Greytown, said the value of the truck was R760 000 and the timber, R240 000.

“This was the only long distance truck I had and now that it is burnt, I must hire a truck to deliver timber,” said Bolkanyo.

Ngobese was not the only one who suffered at the hands of the protestors.

A security guard also reported being robbed of his firearm and cellphone.

Police later used rubber bullets and teargas to restore order.

KwaDukuza SAPS spokesperson Johannes Khoza said a 34-year-old man had been arrested after he was found in possession of the security guard’s gun and cell phone.

“A case of malicious damage to property was opened and police are investigating,” said Khoza.

WATCH: Truck set alight during Doringkop protest

The community was protesting against councillor Dumsani Ndimande, who had been their councillor for more than 20 years and is the ANC chief whip in council.

The ward includes Sokesimbone, Sadlokwe and Sakhamkhanya.

Residents accuse Ndimande of corruption and negligence.

They are demanding that he step down.

“We had been complaining about him since last year October. No one is prepared to listen to us,” said one of the protesters.

African National Congress regional chairperson Ricardo Mthembu said the regional and provincial leadership were aware of the complaints against Ndimande and they were being discussed.

“I seriously don’t understand why they block and burn trucks if they don’t want a councillor.

“We cannot just remove a councillor, we must double check every detail we get. The law must take its course.

“The trucks have got nothing to do with the councillor and now someone’s family has to suffer because some people were abusing their democracy,” said Mthembu.

He said a community meeting would be called to discuss the issue.