Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police, on Monday condemned the setting fire to six trucks on the N3 highway in KwaZulu-Natal. However, critics say it seems as if the minister did not want to take responsibility for the attacks, but instead wanted to place the blame on the Department of Justice.
“Instead of providing leadership, Minister Cele used the opportunity to point the finger at his colleague, Ronald Lamola, for the lack of prosecutions in similar cases,” says Makashule Gana of Rise Mzanzi.
This while no arrests have yet been made in connection with the at least 11 trucks that were set on fire in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga this past weekend.
Cele did tell reporters earlier today that the SAPS had arrested a total of 47 suspects in similar attacks on trucks.
“We send them to court and then they get bail… But from our side, 47 people were arrested over truck issues,” the minister explained.
Gana says it’s as if politicians don’t care anymore.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga labeled the latest incidents as acts of “economic sabotage”, “but failing to do her job and pay attention to the issues of the trucking industry and the criminality that has become a common feature in the sector ,” says Gana.
He says the latest incidents remind him of the riots of July 2021.
“To date, there has been little to no action in implementing the recommendations of the panel of experts’ report on the civil unrest in July 2021, meaning that South Africa and its people remain vulnerable to the threats that have contributed to the festival of lawlessness two years ago.
“South Africa is clearly in the grip of a safety and security crisis and the people who have been chosen to solve the crisis are without a plan and no longer care.”
