GALLERY: Different stakeholders collectively tackle truck attacks

An Alrode business owner described the looting and burning of trucks as terrorism in our own country which will have a dire affect on an already struggling economy

Alberton has been declared to being the second most affected area with these malicious attacks on trucks which have sparked within the City.

This was announced by deputy Gauteng police commissioner Maj Gen Tommy Mthombeni during a second meeting on November 25 at Alberton Civic Centre.

This follows the first meeting on November 6, where numerous stakeholders gathered following a number of truck attacks experienced in the area.

Among many that were present were Alberton councillors, security companies, law enforcement, logistic companies and other interested parties. The top priority on the agenda were proposed new action plans, which included an investigation process and forum formation to combat these truck attacks.

Contributing factor

During the first meeting, it came to light that these truck attacks originate from so-called business forums that demand that a certain amount of work be given to locals instead of foreign nationals.

Col Doctor Sibuyi, station commander of Alberton SAPS, reiterated that they will form group chats with all stakeholders in trying to resolve these attacks.

“We have six incidents which have been reported and we mostly get these reports only on Mondays.”

It also became clear that people’s lives are now at stake.

According to Sibuyi, apart from attacking and burning trucks, these groups are at times shooting at drivers.

“We do deal harshly with these people and we manage to oppose their bail. We managed to neutralise Alrode because we are pushing them away,” he said.

However, this has led attacks to spread from Alrode to other parts of Alberton and surrounding areas.

Hot spots

According to Mthombeni, they have identified numerous hotspots in which these attacks are likely to happen.
These parts include the R59 route, the N3, Vosloorus, parts of Alberton, Kliprivier Road and recently discovered the N12 route to also being a hotspot.

“Before being torched, it has since surfaced that truck drivers are also shot at before these trucks are torched. Some companies are transporting fuel, while others are transporting cement and other goods. This is quite serious, such that at national level they are taking it seriously,” said Mthombeni.

He also emphasised that if the focus is intensified on cameras on roads within the City of Ekurhuleni, this crime could be combated. In an already struggling economy, Alrode logistics business owner Balan Gounden revealed that these attacks will have a dire effect on the economy.

“The economy of this country depends on us and anything that moves in the country has to be moved on a truck. This is terrorism in our own country and they are not doing it for a reward. Trucking has many challenges, we also need to get regulated by the government,” he said.

Their next meeting, which will consist of stakeholders from numerous departments, will be held in January 2021.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has since condemned these violent attacks and has reportedly set up an emergency task team to focus on the situation.

Alberton SAPS also shared its top tips to keep truck drivers safe

• Do not stop when an unknown vehicle points or indicates a problem with your truck, as they might be hijackers.

• If you are stopped by a marked or unmarked police vehicle, inform your colleagues before you stop if you are driving in a group.

• Beware, not all the cars with blue lights are police vehicles. Make sure it’s a police car by checking the call sign. For example, AB 10 Name of the station or unit number and registration number.

ALSO READ:

Police commissioners get to root cause of truck attacks