Illustrative image depicting burning trucks on a dark road. The image does not show the actual incidents near Grootvlei or Piet Retief.
Six trucks were set alight in the Gert Sibande District over two days, prompting the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga to intensify investigations and deploy additional resources to the affected areas.
Five trucks were torched on the N3 near Grootvlei on Thursday evening, 29 October 2026, followed by a sixth truck on the N2, approximately 15 kilometres from Piet Retief towards Pongola, on Friday night.
According to police, the Grootvlei incident occurred along a section of the N3 undergoing construction, where a truck driver travelling towards Villiers encountered a stationary tanker.
Four armed suspects allegedly emerged from beside the tanker and ordered him to stop. One suspect reportedly carried a five-litre container of petrol, which was used to set the truck alight.
The driver managed to escape and seek assistance, while the suspects fled on foot towards Villiers.
Police confirmed that five trucks were set alight, three of which were partially burnt. One truck tractor unit was valued at approximately R3.2 million, while two trailers were valued at a combined R350 000.
No injuries were reported, although two truck drivers could not immediately be located following the incident.
Sixth Truck Targeted Near Piet Retief
At approximately 22:30 on Friday, 30 October, armed suspects allegedly stopped another truck on a section of the N2 undergoing construction.
The suspects reportedly robbed the driver of his mobile phone before setting the truck alight and fleeing. The driver escaped unharmed.
Police are investigating attempted murder, armed robbery and malicious damage to property in connection with the incident.
Police Intensify Investigations
Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise has established a multidisciplinary task team comprising detectives and Crime Intelligence operatives to track down those responsible.
Additional police resources have been deployed to the affected areas.
"We cannot tolerate acts of lawlessness and we will continue to investigate the matter while using all available resources to identify and arrest those responsible," Modise said.
The motive behind the attacks remains unknown, and no arrests had been reported as of the latest police statement on 31 October.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPSApp.