Deputy Gauteng police commissioner Maj Gen Tommy Mthombeni and Ekurhuleni district police commissioner Maj Gen Vincent Leshabane met with stakeholders in Alberton on November 6 regarding the large number of truck attacks that the area has been experiencing.
This follows an attack on trucks in Alrode which saw six trucks burnt down on November 5.
The major generals were hosted alongside other brigadiers from SAPS by Col Doctor Sibuyi, station commander of Alberton SAPS.
Source of the problem
According to the major generals, the source of the problems of truck attacks stem from so-called business forums who demand that a certain amount of work is given to locals instead of to foreign nationals.
These protestors stop truck drivers and in severe cases light the horse on fire and rob the contents of the trailer.
Business owners in Alberton were encouraged to ask questions and make submissions so that they could liaise with police regarding the problem.
What can be done
Major questions and concerns that the stakeholders raised were what they could do if they were being held ransom by protestors, whether there were special departments for these crimes and what could be done to target truck hijacking and ensure the safety of drivers.
According to SAPS officials, care should be taken when hiring people as they may be in partnership with the protesters. Company owners were informed that police take these matters seriously and that they should call the police if they are being held ransom by these business forums.
They explained that arrests have already been made in connection with these actions. A team has been set up by police to investigate these matters which extend as far as KwaZulu-Natal.
“This problem will be ongoing if we don’t stand up,” said Mthombi.
The police called for cooperation and open communication between themselves and the stakeholders to work together against the problem.
