South Africa: Further armed attacks on trucks possible through mid-July

Event

Further armed attacks on trucks are possible through mid-July. At least 20 trucks have reportedly been attacked and burned in a series of five criminal incidents in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces since July 9. The modus operandi reportedly involves stopping trucks traveling at night on major highways, pursuing drivers at gunpoint, and setting fire to the vehicles. The perpetrators are unknown; police have reportedly identified 12 suspects. The motive for the crimes is also unknown but could be a tactic to dissuade foreign trucks and truck drivers from operating in South Africa.

Further attacks, particularly on national highways, are possible in the coming days. In the event of an attack, increased security and localized transport disruptions are likely. Officials could close routes near any further incidents. Deadly violence is unlikely; nonetheless, clashes cannot be discounted entirely. The incidental threat to bystanders, especially foreigners, is elevated. Disruptions to freight transport and business operations are likely.

Context

These attacks could likely be in reaction to the extension of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP), giving special residency privileges to Zimbabwean asylum seekers. Due to ongoing economic and security struggles, an antiforeigner grassroots movement emerged in June 2021 and has been regularly forcibly removing foreigners from their homes and threatening businesses employing them. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) had first announced that the ZEP would expire at the end of 2022, before extending the deadline at first to June 2023, then to December 2023, before Pretoria’s North Gauteng High Court further extended it through June 2024.

Following the latest extension, negative reactions were especially apparent within the trade unions, especially among long-distance truck drivers. South African truck drivers threatened to blockade major highways in April to protest alleged favoritism towards Zimbabwean workers. Though causality is uncertain, xenophobic violence towards Zimbabweans appears to have increased since the court ruling. The lynching of at least seven Zimbabwean nationals has been reported in lower-income areas of the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Gauteng provinces.

Advice

Persons managing the delivery of freight or traveling by heavy vehicle should exercise heightened caution near recent violence-affected locations. Furthermore, where possible, travel at night should be limited. Vehicles should be parked in secure locations. Plan for disruptions to general and freight transport in case of further attacks. Reconfirm the status of routes in the hours preceding travel. Reconfirm all public transport services that operate in or through the affected areas.