Two trucks were set alight on the N2 highway near Empangeni on Monday night at around 10pm.
TWO TRUCKS were set alight on the N2 near Empangen in KwaZulu-Natal the police said on Tuesday.
Speaking about Monday night’s incident, provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said the trucks were set alight at around 10pm.
This incident comes just days after six trucks were torched on the N3 highway near Van Reenen’s Pass.
“Two trucks were set alight as they waited in a queue along the N2 freeway. It is alleged that a group of armed men attacked the drivers of the two trucks and robbed them of their belongings,” Naicker said.
“The men were then forced out of the trucks before the trucks were set alight.”
Naicker said the police at Empangeni were investigating a case of armed robbery, malicious damage to property and attempted murder.
Speaking about Saturday’s night incident, Naicker said the police were still on the hunt for the culprits who torched the six trucks causing the N3 highway to be closed for several hours.
“A gang of armed men forced six trucks drivers to stop their trucks on the Van Reenen’s Pass at around 10pm,” he said at the time.
“They then set all six trucks alight, causing the roadway to be closed to traffic.”
Naicker said no injuries were reported.
“At this stage the motive for the attack is unknown.”
The Provincial Organised Crime unit has taken over the investigation.
Cases of malicious damage to property, attempted murder and armed robbery charges are being investigated.
The N3 was opened on Sunday afternoon according to provincial Transport Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane.
He condemned the incident calling it “economic sabotage” and said police were deployed to monitor the situation.
Also on Sunday, five trucks were set alight on the N4 in Mpumalanga near the Waterval Boven Tunnel, while the police in Sekhukhune have launched a manhunt for six people who committed an armed robbery and malicious damage to property after three heavy trucks were burnt along the R547 in Limpopo on Monday.
The arson attacks are happening at a time when South Africa marks the second anniversary of the July 2021 unrest.
The widespread violence was characterised by vandalism, looting and violence, which left more than 350 people dead.
