Dianne Kohler Barnard, the Democratic Alliance’s member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, will lay charges under anti-terrorism legislation against the alleged attackers who torched trucks on highways in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo last week.
The DA has said in a statement that Kohler-Barnard would lay the charges against the suspects who attacked and torched 22 trucks on the N2, N3 and N4 between 10 and 12 July.
It said the charges would be opened in terms of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA Act).
The DA said its eThekwini caucus leader, Thabani Mthethwa, will accompany Kohler-Barnard to the Berea Police Station today, 19 July.
“To date, only five attackers have been arrested.
“It's not good enough. Nor is it sufficient that these attackers face ordinary criminal charges.
“The DA believes their actions were economic terrorism and therefore we will lay charges in terms of the POCDATARA Act,” the DA said.
“This legislation provides the necessary legal framework to deal with individuals who engage in acts of sabotage and pose a threat to our national stability and economy.
“In contrast to the government's inaction, the DA will not allow our economy and businesses to suffer at the hands of these mafias and cartels,” the DA said.
