16 trucks torched in 3 days – South Africa experiencing terrorist attack

A total of 16 trucks have been set ablaze on South Africa’s roads between Sunday and Tuesday, causing widespread damage to the country’s transport sector.

The attacks are believed to be the effort of one or more groups that are attempting to wreak havoc on South Africa’s already suffering economy.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has opened a case against the attackers in terms of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA Act), demanding that the South African Police Services (SAPS) perform a full investigation into the incidents, and labelling those responsible as “economic terrorists.”

“These are not isolated incidents. The sheer precision and efficiency indicate a disturbing level of coordination that has managed to outmanoeuvre the SAPS,” it said.

Economic sabotage

The first truck attacks took place in Kwa-Zulu Natal along the N3 corridor in the early morning hours of Sunday, 9 July, when six trucks were stopped by armed assailants and set alight on Van Reenen’s Pass.

It is believed that the attack took place in this location to cause as much chaos as possible, as the trucks were positioned in such a way as to block the roads.

Since then, additional attacks have been reported in KZN, as well as Mpumalanga and Limpopo along other major transport routes like the N4 and N1, resulting in another 10 trucks being destroyed, bringing the number of burnt vehicles up to 16 as of the time of writing.

Five of the trucks were torched on the N4 in Mpumalanga, while three were attacked on the N1 in Limpopo, and the remaining two lorries were targeted while queuing on the N2 waiting to turn into Richards Bay in KZN.

The armed groups have not stolen any cargo, though they have robbed some of the drivers, suggesting that these events were not for financial gain but to send a message and cause disruptions across the country’s supply chain.

The attacks line up with the anniversary of the 2021 July riots that devastated KZN and Gauteng, and display similar tactics where trucks were used to block access on several routes to Durban, according to Mail & Guardian

The cost of violence

Gavin Kelly, the CEO of the Road Freight Agency (RFA), said that these nationwide acts threaten the value chain that transports roughly 80% of the goods in and around South Africa.

Beyond the immediate cost of the loss of the trucks and their freight, which is already estimated to be more than R100 million, there is a concern that these acts of terrorism will bring an end to small businesses that cannot afford the loss of a shipment.

Companies that can afford to do so are also likely to invest in more security, pay more insurance, or take safer but longer alternate routes, leading to more costs and delays that are ultimately forced onto the average consumer.

Kelly also warned that this violence has cost South Africa its “gateway to Africa” status and that international shipments may move their goods to more stable ports in neighboring countries.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet, but Kelly has suggested that one culprit may be the All Truck Drivers Foundation, which has been unhappy about the employment of foreigners in the industry for some time.

The City of Umhlathuze’s Mayor, Xolani Ngwezi, called out President Ramaphosa, who is currently waiting for a report from intelligence services, for the lack of action from the national government, according to EWN.

“We heard the president properly when he was saying this is an economic sabotage, and we are saying other than that Mr President, you have all the resources at your disposal,” he said.