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First Arrest Made in Mpumalanga Regarding Truck Torchings
A diligent effort by a Mpumalanga-based security company has reportedly resulted in the first arrest linked to a series of arsonist attacks on trucks.
Bester Maree, representing ACSU Security in Ermelo, revealed that they received crucial information leading to tracing a suspect in Piet Retief. This individual is believed to be involved in torching four trucks on the N2 just one day ago.
“We handed over the suspect to the Sheepmoor police at 03:00,” Maree confirmed, expressing confidence that additional arrests would follow.
At the time of publication, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala was not yet aware of the arrest, indicating that further updates may become available.
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Identification of Individuals of Interest
During a recent press conference, Police Minister Bheki Cele disclosed that 12 people of interest have been identified in connection with the burning of 21 trucks within five days.
Minister Cele highlighted that intelligence suggests the attacks may be motivated by business-related factors, asserting that they are not random acts of criminality. The evidence gathered thus far points to organised, coordinated, and sophisticated operations aimed at undermining and sabotaging the state.
Most of the suspects hail from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga provinces. The minister dismissed xenophobia as a motive for these attacks, clarifying that most of the targeted drivers are South African nationals.
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KZN Identified as the Operations Hub
According to information reported by The Witness, Minister Cele revealed that while the attacks on trucks have spread across KZN, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces, they are being coordinated from a central point in northern KZN.
The minister emphasised that the perpetrators could potentially face charges of terrorism, emphasising the gravity of their actions.
Authorities are actively pursuing investigations to apprehend all those responsible and ensure the safety and security of the affected areas. Updates will be provided as the situation develops.
Source: Truck torchings: First arrest made in Mpumalanga – report
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Photo: Supplied by Citizen
