A THIRD suspect has been arrested concerning the torching of trucks in Mpumalanga.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday night,13 July, in Emalahleni.
The first two suspects, who are alleged truck drivers aged 29 and 27, were arrested on the same day. They were arrested in Piet Retief and Ermelo.
Their arrest comes after nine trucks were set alight in different parts of the province.
Five trucks were set alight in Waterval Boven on Sunday, 9 July. Four trucks were travelling toward Machadodorp, while one was in the Mbombela direction.
It is alleged that two vehicles, a bakkie and a sedan with five occupants, stopped the trucks and instructed the drivers to take their personal belongings out before setting the trucks on fire.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 12 July, four trucks were set alight in Sheepmoor between Piet Retief and Ermelo.
It's alleged that people emerged from a road near the N2 toll road. They then approached the trucks with firearms and instructed the drivers to get out. Failing to do so, they would be burnt inside.
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The drivers left and ran away, and the trucks were set alight.
Three trucks were seriously burnt whilst another one was only torched in the cabin. A female passenger was also injured in the process.
At least 21 trucks have been torched since Sunday, 9 July, in Mpumalanga KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo.
National police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police are hot on the heels of more suspects, which involves the ring leaders of these sporadic incidents of criminality.
"High-density operations continue through roadblocks, stop and searches, and the tracing operations of these wanted suspects," she said.
The suspects are facing charges of malicious damage to property.
