DA lays terrorism charges against truck torching accused

Two weeks ago, 21 heavy-duty vehicles were set alight in KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

 

Following the attacks, military personnel was deployed on national routes.

 

The suspects were arrested last week in Mpumalanga province.

 

They appeared in court this week on charges of malicious damage to property and public violence.

 

DA member of Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence Dianne Kohler Barnard was at the Berea Police Station in Durban on Wednesday to lay charges under the Contravention of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.

 

She said they believe the suspects should be charged with terrorism, considering the economic damage that has been caused.

 READ: Five to appear in court on Monday for truck attacks

"This is domestic terrorism. It has hit our transport pipeline severely, and of course, especially in KZN, we are all scared that the next step, as it happened two years ago, is looting, rioting and burning. People are on tenterhooks here.

 

“But to charge them with a minor crime when it’s obviously a very well-orchestrated campaign of destruction,  I think they should be using the legislative strength that we've given them in Parliament. For some reason, the NPA is not doing that.”