Police arrest third suspect in connection with burning trucks between Ermelo and eMkhondo

A third suspect were recently arrested in connection with the torching of various trucks in Mpumalanga this week.

The suspect will appear alongside the two other suspects, aged 27 and 29, in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on July 17.

“Police are hot on the heels of arresting more suspects who are linked to the sporadic truck attacks in the province. Law enforcement agencies are continuing with their multi-disciplinary operations, including stop and searching and the tracing of these wanted suspects,’’ Brig Athlenda Mathe said.

WATCH – Moment one of the trucks between Ermelo and Mkhondo is set alight captured

Four trucks were set alight at around 05:30 on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo on July 12.

Three sustained a lot of damage while only the cabin of one caught on fire.

One woman sustained burn wounds on her feet as she was allegedly asleep in one of the trucks.

Diligent work by a Mpumalanga-based security company has reportedly resulted in the first arrest.

Bester Maree of Acsu Security in Ermelo said they had received information that led to the tracing of a suspect in eMkhondo, believed to be involved.

ALSO READ: More videos and photos surface of trucks torched between Ermelo and Mkhondo

In a press conference held on July 12, Police Minister Bheki Cele said 12 people of interest have been identified following these attacks.

“Intelligence suggests that attacks on trucks may be business-related, and we know 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,” the minister said.

Cele said most of the suspects are from KZN and Mpumalanga, and dismissed xenophobia as a reason for these attacks, citing that most of the attacked drivers are South African.

The Witness reported that Cele said while the attacks on trucks are spread across three provinces, KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, they are being co-ordinated from a central point in northern KZN.

Cele said the perpetrators could face charges of terrorism.

In total, 21 trucks have been set alight in three provinces over the past week.