Several trucks were set alight across Cape Town in a series of suspected petrol-bomb attacks amid the national truck driver protest.
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says on Wednesday firefighters responded to a truck on fire in Duinefontein Road near Samora Machel at 7.48pm.
“It was a Mercedes Benz truck and the driver was found at Kraaifontein Police Station after it was found that he was hijacked.
“No injuries were reported and the fire was extinguished at 8.35pm.”
Shortly afterwards another truck was found alight in Ottery.
Grassy Park Station commander Colonel Dawood Laing says the Zimbabwean driver had made a delivery at SA Breweries and stopped at a petrol garage on Strandfontein Road.
FLAMES OF FURY: Trucks were petrol-bombed during protest
“He believes he was followed by a silver car when he left SAB.
“He stopped at the garage and was buying something when a petrol-bomb was thrown at the head of the truck and it burnt out.
“He was not hurt but this is part of the strike over foreign truck drivers working in South Africa.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk says a truck was also set alight in Labelle Road in Bellville at 9pm.
While waiting at the traffic light, a bakkie pulled up in front of the truck and two armed men broke the truck driver’s window and robbed him of his cellphone.
“The truck was then set alight by the suspects and the driver managed to run away.
“A case of robbery with a firearm and malicious damage to property was opened for investigation.”
Stikland main road was closed in the direction of Bellville after a truck was set alight. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane /African News Agency(ANA)
On Wednesday, morning two trucks were set alight on the N1 between Klapmuts and Joostenbergvlakte.
Spokesperson for the Truckers Association Of South Africa (TASA) Mandy Phandi said the association would be having a meeting with truckers on Saturday.