Panyaza Lesufi says trucks on Gauteng roads are being monitored

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says trucks in the province are constantly being monitored after recent arson attacks. More than 20 trucks were set alight in KwaZulu-Natal‚ Limpopo and Mpumalanga this week.            

The latest arson attacks took place on the N12 West between the Golden Highway in Eldorado Park and Klipspruit Valley Road near Slovo informal settlement on Wednesday afternoon.

Lesufi said Gauteng was using hi-tech technology and cameras to monitor all strategic roads used by trucks entering or leaving the province. He praised law-enforcement authorities for their work. 

TimesLIVE published a shocking video captured on a truck’s dashcam showing a driver being hijacked by a man wearing a hoodie on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo early on Wednesday morning.

In the video‚ the truck driver can be seen stopping and speaking to the suspect before being forced out of the vehicle. The suspect enters the vehicle carrying a bag containing what appears to be an accelerant and a box of matches. He drives a short distance and then pours the liquid on a mattress at the back of the cabin before setting it alight and jumping out.

Police minister Bheki Cele said 12 people were identified as people of interest by officers investigating the attacks on trucks.

“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.

“Intelligence suggests 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.” Cele said there was no evidence to suggest the targeting of trucks was related or linked to the July 2021 insurrection.

Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly also says the attacks, which revived memories of the 2021 violence, are co-ordinated.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who on Monday described the violent crime as “economic sabotage”, has set up a team to investigate the truck attacks. So far neither the perpetrators nor the motive for the attacks have been identified.

Kelly warned earlier this week that as it becomes more difficult for the trucking industry to guarantee safe delivery of cargo, international traders are seeking other entries to the rest of Africa.

“They are just saying we are not going to move stuff through SA because the risk is too great, the delays are too long in the ports, and the inefficiencies are costing us too much,” Kelly said, adding that SA’s “gateway to Africa” status has been lost and the attacks will further cement the move of transit freight from SA to neighbouring countries.

Fluctuating home affairs rules and deadlines and lackadaisical inspections by the labour ministry also contributed to frustration among local drivers over the past six years, Kelly said, noting that violent crimes against the trucking sector over the hiring of foreign drivers were rampantly perpetrated with impunity.

Warning that “without trucks, SA stops”, Kelly said the long-term effect would be felt in terms of increased security costs, higher insurance premiums and Sasria cover premiums, less freight movement through SA, closure of freight companies and job losses. 

TimesLIVE with Michelle Gumede