The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that a driver burned to death in his cab last night on the outskirts of Harrismith after protesters threw stones at his truck on the N5 highway.
According to Yusuf Abramjee from Make SA Safe, the 35-year-old man was from Clanwilliam in the Western Cape and was on his way to Durban for the transporter for whom he works.
The incident is said to have happened at about 18:45 near the Makgolokoeng turn-off.
According to an eyewitness report from a fellow truck driver heading in the opposite direction towards Kestell, a group of people standing near the T-junction threw stones at the truck, causing it to veer off the highway.
As it careened into open veld it struck an embankment and caught fire, resulting in the rig burning out.
A statement issued by Harrismith police said there was nothing they could do when they arrived on the scene.
Once the blaze had subsided, they saw that the driver had died in his cab.
They identified the owner of the Scania who confirmed that the man, whose name is being withheld, was a 35-year-old employee of the company concerned.
The incident marks the first fatality since service delivery protests broke out in Harrismith on Monday.
Initially protest action was contained but reports soon filtered through of violent action along the N3 in the vicinity of the Engen Bergview 1 Stop.
Police had to turn around trucks on the N3 until protesters were dispersed.
Arson attacks related to the protests were also reported at Harrismith Airport on Tuesday night resulting in the destruction of and extensive damage to property.
Last night’s deadly attack comes as the Road Freight Association prepares to hold its annual convention in the Drakensberg south-west of Harrismith.
Travellers on the N5 and N3 in this area are warned to be extremely vigilant.
Warrant officer Mmako Mophiring from the SAPS in Harrismith confirmed that they had opened a case of culpable homicide following the driver’s death
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The scene on the N5 this morning where a truck driver died because of stone throwing. Source: SAPS Harrismith
