TWO suspects have been arrested for the torching of trucks in Mpumalanga.
The alleged truck drivers, aged 27 and 29, were arrested on Thursday morning, 13 July, in Piet Retief and Ermelo.
They are expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrates Court on Friday, 14 July.
The arrests come after nine trucks were set alight in different parts of the province.
Five trucks were set alight on Sunday, 9 July, in Waterval Boven. 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.
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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.
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 more arrests are pending, and more suspects are being traced.
