Motorists in Pretoria are facing a growing threat from spiking attacks on major roadways, leading to robberies and even fatalities. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and take precautions to avoid becoming victims.
Motorists in Pretoria are facing an escalating threat as spiking attacks on the city's major roadways continue to rise. These perilous road traps, employing iron spikes, rocks, and other hazardous materials, target unsuspecting drivers, leading to robberies and, tragically, fatalities in some cases. A recent incident on Friday evening on the N1 North highway serves as a chilling reminder of this danger.
While the victim was left shaken but unharmed, the experience highlights the severity of the issue. According to Pretoria Rekord, the incident unfolded between 01:55 and 02:10, when Sinoville SAPS, while conducting routine patrols, responded to reports of the attack. A lone motorist traveling from Johannesburg to Tzaneen had his journey abruptly interrupted when two unidentified men allegedly hurled stones in front of his vehicle, causing a catastrophic tyre burst.AfriForum Community Safety spokesperson Jacques Broodryk shed light on the alarming trend of spiking attacks across Pretoria and its surrounding areas. He confirmed that incidents have been particularly frequent on the N1, N4, N12, N14, R566, and R80. However, he emphasized that these roads are not the only targets, urging motorists to remain vigilant on all major routes. AfriForum has been closely tracking spiking attacks since last year, documenting the use of iron spikes, rocks, and other objects to target, rob, and, in some instances, kill motorists. The organization has observed concerning trends, including a preference for nighttime attacks and the involvement of groups ranging from two to ten individuals, often armed with sharp objects or firearms. These criminals employ various tactics to force vehicles to stop, including placing spikes on the road, using dummies to feign injuries, creating roadblocks with rocks, or throwing rocks at moving vehicles from overhead bridges. Broodryk highlighted that AfriForum's neighbourhood and farm watches in areas adjacent to these hotspots will intensify their efforts to combat spiking attacks and related crimes. He added that a specialized training module has been developed to equip patrollers with the necessary skills to effectively address this crime. He urged the public to report all incidents to the SAPS and their nearest AfriForum neighbourhood watch. AfriForum also issued a call for heightened safety measures among motorists, urging them to avoid stopping their vehicles after encountering damage to tyres, windshields, or other parts, and instead, drive to a safe location. They recommend contacting local neighbourhood watch groups, security companies, or emergency services immediately to report the incident. Providing detailed information about the object used in the trap and its location is crucial to prevent further attacks on other motorists.Motorists are also advised to ensure their phones are fully charged before embarking on their journeys, share their location with loved ones, especially when travelling alone, and maintain constant vigilance while scanning the road ahead for potential threats, suspicious objects, or individuals. Storing emergency contact numbers for local emergency services, neighbourhood watches, or security companies on their phones and considering the installation of an emergency response app, such as AfriForum's free 911 panic button app, are highly recommended safety measures
Spiking Attacks Pretoria Motorists Road Safety Crime Warning Afriforum SAPS
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