Unveiling the mystery of burning trucks in South Africa

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Thu 13 Jul   [Ron Derby] There’s something more, so much more to the burning of trucks that we see on our roads every July. Exactly what this is is left to conjecture because this country’s intelligence services seem to be lacking in the very thing they’ve been created to do — gather intelligence. When discussing service delivery failures, we primarily refer to the inability to provide even the most fundamental services such as water. But it also extends to intelligence gathering on security threats for South Africans. Two years ago, the failure of these services resulted in the tragic loss of more than 300 lives during the looting and violence that followed after trucks were first set ablaze in Mooi River and subsequently elsewhere in KwaZulu-Natal. Despite extensive examination of WhatsApp messages in July 2021, we have not gained much clarity on who should be held accountable for this. So focused on ANC factional battles for many years, with the late Billy Masetlha a key player in the toppling of Thabo Mbeki in 2007, our intelligence services are merely political pawns, not concerned with the country’s security. A Russian ship, Lady R, docked in Simon’s Town in the middle of a full on war in Europe and we don’t know what came off or came onto that ship. This week, the Mail & Guardian has looked at the dysfunction of our security agencies and why they don’t keep us more informed about threats, both internal and external. They are institutions that have long been captured, and continue to be. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [Screenshot2023-07-12at08.23.40]( [Police identify 12 suspects for truck torchings, Cele says]( The police are out in full force protecting national freeways against further attacks on trucks after 21 vehicles were torched this week [// Read more]( [Former Mozambican finance minister avoids US extradition]( Premium [Manuel Chang extradited to United States]( The former Mozambican finance minister will stand trial in New York for his alleged central role in a debt scandal that triggered a sovereign default Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian You must be a registered member or a subscriber to view this article. Articles with a gold lock are only available to subscribers. Register For your free account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience, please register your free account now. 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Articles with a gold lock are only available to subscribers. Register For your free account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience, please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member and unlocks: - registration to the M&G newsletters - notifications so you never miss a beat - helps us give you the best possible experience on the M&G Online Register Subscribe Join the M&G Community The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. By subscribing, you become a valued member of the M&G community, actively championing independent journalism and enabling us to deliver the latest news directly to you. Your subscription plays a vital role in supporting our mission and unlocks: - M&G community membership - access to all articles online, including premium subs-only features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper emailed to you every week - invites to subscriber only events - the opportunity to test new online features, first [Subscribe]( Already registered or a subscriber? login here. [// Read more]( [Has the ANC got its mojo back?]( The ANC has changed gear by talking to the people and being more open with the media. Is this real change or just a temporary tactical shift? [// Read more]( Pic of the day [gettyimages-1527377247-594x594] Brandon Thomas-Asante of West Bromwich Albion during a West Bromwich Albion Pre-Season Training Camp at St Georges Park on July 12, 2023 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. 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