The South African Police Service have been made aware that allegations of threats to burn trucks on the R335 (Addo Road) today, 5 September, have been made.
According to SAPS spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, several trucking companies have alleged that they were intimidated not to use their trucks today, or else the trucks would be stopped and burnt.
“It is alleged that it stems from a certain group that is unhappy that foreign drivers are being used by the trucking companies,” said Beetge.
The SAPS Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, responded in no uncertain terms and said: “We cannot allow law-abiding communities and businesses to be intimidated in this way by being threatened with violence in order for such law breakers to have their way.”
SAPS wishes to discourage this type of intimidation and added: “SAPS and its security partners will be deployed in the affected area to stop any potential violence, and to ensure the safety of all motorists and trucks on our public roads in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.”
Ncata continued, “SAPS is encouraging and urging any businesses that have been threatened with violence to come forward and open intimidation cases against the perpetrators. SAPS also wishes to warn any perpetrators using intimidation tactics that there are legal avenues, other than the use of violence, to solve issues that affect them, and any law breakers damaging property of others will face the full force of the law.”
