Police activate massive manhunt for six suspects – truck burnings
LIMPOPO – This comes after trucks were torched in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga over the weekend. In KZN, six trucks went up in flames on Saturday night, while five trucks were torched in Mpumalanga on Sunday night. In the Limpopo incident, police say the trucks were torched by six unknown suspects on the R547 Lydenburg road. The first truck (Scania) was accosted by the suspects while heading to deliver chrome at a local mine. The driver of the truck was instructed by two of the suspects armed with firearms to block the road with it and disembark through the window before setting it alight.
Two other trucks, a Scania and an Actross that were following the first trucks, were also burned by the suspects who later fled the scene. SAPS spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba says the motive of the incident is unknown. “Police have opened a case of armed robbery and malicious damaged to properties. A manhunt has been launched for the six suspects.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday the torching of the trucks was concerning as it seems to be economic sabotage. “I am concerned about these activities that take place that have a negative impact on our economy and its almost like an economic sabotage because burning six trucks on the main artery of our country, in terms of the economy is concerning. The intelligence agencies are going to be giving me a report on that and the police will be taking steps to make sure that we forestall whatever follow-up activity that those behind this may well be planning.”
On Tuesday morning, reports emerged of two truck that were also set alight on the N2 near Empangeni in KZN. This is the second incident in the province since Saturday night.