Delivery truck burned and looted in Mfuleni

The truck was delivering dairy products to Shoprite in Mfuleni when it was attacked. The truck driver, Mbusi Molefe, was left traumatised.

“I’m still shocked,” he said afterwards. “I never experienced something like this in my life. What scared me is that they tried to chase me even after I abandoned the truck.”

According to eyewitnesses the truck was approaching a traffic circle when it was stoned, allegedly by taxi operators.

Police patrolling the area after a few incidents of violence quickly dispersed the crowd and advised the truck operator to park the vehicle next to the satellite police station in Mfuleni, leaving the station with only the two officers stationed there on regular basis. Eyewitnesses said the mob returned after the police left and removed the battery from the truck, cut its wires and set it alight.

“They broke it open and people started looting yoghurts, milk and other dairy products,” said one witness. Police in the station couldn’t do anything to stop the looting as they were outnumbered.

Taxi bosses in Mfuleni said they were not party to the destruction of property and were not involved in the protest. They said mainly their operators had been involved.

The truck driver said: “This wouldn’t have happened if the police hadn’t left the area after rescuing me from the earlier attack.”

Mfuleni police have not yet responded to questions.