South African Police Investigate Truck Fires in Three Provinces
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is increasing patrols along identified high-risk routes after ‘coordinated and planned attacks’ on trucks in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, the country’s Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele has announced, following the torching of 21 vehicles by attackers from 9-12 July.
TAPA EMEA members are advised to be extra vigilant in these regions of South Africa, and across the country, as the Minister warned ‘these are not just random acts of criminality’. Intelligence suggests the incidents are business-related and linked to labour or service delivery disputes, while media reports in South Africa say the incidents may be connected to a campaign against foreign truck drivers being employed by South African companies.
Attacks recorded between 9-12 July involved:
- The torching of 9 trucks in KwaZulu-Natal; 6 of which were targeted along Van Reenen’s pass on 9 July, and three on the N11 in Engogo on 10 July.
- In Mpumalanga, four trucks were attacked and set on fire between Ermelo and Sheepmore, and five others were torched on the N4 near Waterval Boven.
- In Limpopo, three trucks were stopped and set on fire between Lydenburg and Sekhukhune.
Trucks are being stopped by groups of offenders with firearms, reports confirmed, and shots were fired in some of the incidents, the Minister stated. Police are investigating cases of malicious damage to property, attempted murder, and armed robbery. General Bheki Cele confirmed police have identified 12 individuals suspected of involvement in the attacks and said officers were ‘closing in on them’.
The loss values of goods onboard the target vehicles, and the vehicles themselves, are currently unknown. No intelligence has so far been confirmed of cargoes being removed and stolen from vehicles prior to trucks being set on fire. Robberies referred to in the police statement are believed to relate to thefts from drivers as opposed to cargoes.
Fortunately, no driver fatalities have been recorded in these incidents.
Addressing the media, the Minister said it was necessary to advise the nation of these criminal operations and the police response, adding: “The country’s law enforcement remains on high alert and is hard at work at preventing more attacks, but also finding these individuals or gangs of thugs hell bent in causing havoc on our roads.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and army personnel are being used to patrol major transport routes.
He emphasised that no trucks have been targeted for these types of attacks in Free State or Gauteng provinces. Three truck fires in these provinces, he said, were the result of mechanical issues, a burst tyre causing a vehicle to crash, and driver error.
Such attacks add to cargo security and supply chain resilience risks for companies operating in South Africa. TAPA EMEA members with further intelligence on this current criminal campaign, or any cargo crimes or supply chain disruptions, are asked to send any information to the TAPA EMEA Intelligence System (TIS) at tisteam@tapaemea.org
