Two more trucks were robbed and burned by armed men on Monday night in the north of KwaZulu-Natal province, bringing to 16 the number of heavy vehicles burned in the last three days in the country.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Jay Naicker told the local press today that the incident took place on the N2 National Road, which links Empangeni and the port town of Richards Bay, in the north of the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, which borders Mozambique and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

According to the South African police spokesman, the drivers were assaulted and robbed and their vehicles were later burned while they were waiting in a queue on the N2 near Empangeni.

Empangeni police are investigating a case of armed robbery, malicious damage to property and attempted murder, Naicker added.

The incident brings to 13 the number of heavy vehicles attacked and burned by armed men since Saturday night in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, on the country's south-eastern coast, and Mpumalanga, in the north-east.

Meanwhile, in Limpopo province, in the far north of South Africa, which borders Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, three trucks were also burnt by a group of six armed men on the local stretch of the R574 between Lydenburg and Sekhukhune, Limpopo police spokesman Malesela Ledwaba told South African public broadcaster SABC today, quoted by Lusa.

However, the South African police have not announced any arrests so far, and the reason for this type of violence in recent days in the country is unknown.