[imagesource:twitter/@road_angels_sa]

An unmasked man has been caught on camera allegedly setting a truck on fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning, just one among a dozen identified in relation to the spate of trucks that were doused in flames on Sunday night in KwaZulu-Natal.

South African Police Minister Bheki Cele said at the time that there was no evidence linking these incidents to the July 2021 wave of unrest in the region but that the attacks were “not just random acts of criminality”, per IOL, adding that “Evidence before us points to organised coordinated and sophisticated operations that seek to undermine and sabotage the state”.

Cele said their police intelligence suggested that this spate of unrest may be business-related, confirming that they have identified at least 12 persons of interest in the economic sabotage of burning of trucks in the usual hotspots, KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

“Whether it is economic sabotage, labour or service delivery related disputes, police are closing in on those who choose to use violence and intimidation for whatever motive,” said Cele earlier on Wednesday during a media briefing held at SAPS Tshwane College.

CCTV footage stamped July 12, 2023, shows an unmasked bearded man setting a truck alight somewhere in KZN:

While 21 trucks have been set on fire since Sunday, with at least four trucks being burnt overnight near Ermelo, Mpumalanga, a total of 107 cases of truck burning have occurred since 2018, noted the Daily Maverick.

N2
Piet Retief/ Ermelo
4 trucks on fire. N2 will be closed for most of today between Ermelo and Piet Retief. Alternative route is via Amsterdam.
*Road Angels Traffic Info* pic.twitter.com/PIV2ahKHhx

— Road Angels Traffic Information (@Road_Angels_SA) July 12, 2023

The minister said the attacks in Limpopo, which involved three trucks, appeared to be linked to “an ongoing labour dispute and service delivery issues” and did not appear to be connected to the KZN and Mpumalanga incidents.

The minister assured the public that the SAPS had a “plan of action” and had increased its presence on routes that are at risk:

“As things stand, there is no evidence before us to suggest that the recent target on trucks are in any way related or linked to the July insurrection. I wish to take this opportunity to allay any fears that what transpired in July 2021 will repeat itself,” Cele said, adding that 67 people have been arrested in connection with that insurrection and their cases were before the courts.

He further assured that “We have a capable state that has learnt from the past,” but many find that questionable, considering Cele’s frankly unbothered approach to handling crime in the country.

While a police presence is necessary to abate violence and danger, are the leaders actually thinking about what the people need in order to stop these riots in the first place?

We want to see that our leaders are implementing better service delivery, showing actual care for the people on the ground, rather than slapping proverbial plasters on wounds with chatter about “police visibility has been heightened”.

[sources:iol&dailymaverick]