Truck attacks exacerbating lack of investment interest in SA, warns economist
Economist Dawie Roodt says South Africa is becoming less and less attractive as an investment destination.
He's been commenting on the recent spate of arson attacks on trucks in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the country.
Unknown suspects have torched more than 20 trucks - nearly two years after the deadly riots in Gauteng and KZN also began with the burning of trucks.
READ: Cele: Truck torchings coordinated in northern KZN
Police believe the latest attacks are not connected to the 2021 riots.
They have identified 12 persons of interest in connection with the violence, although no arrests have been made.
Roodt says these incidents make it impossible for the economy to recover.
"The effect of this simply will mean that it is going to become more expensive to transport stuff between Gauteng and KZN. That will have an impact on business but also on things like prices, and we know we have an inflation problem in South Africa.
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"The biggest thing it will impact on the South African economy will probably be felt over years.
"As foreigners and local investors realise that South Africa is becoming less and less attractive as an investment destination. We should see less investments in South Africa, and that eventually will result in lower economic growth as well."
