Public loots from truck in Marite with the driver dead in the seat
It is alleged that four or five armed suspects emerged from the roadside, attempting to stop the truck by getting onto the road and firing shots at the truck, killing the driver.
In a shocking incident on September 26, some community members started looting the dairy products out of a truck still containing the body of a fatally shot driver behind the wheel.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the driver and two crew members were driving along the R40 towards Bushbuckridge at about 08:30 for a delivery.
“As they were passing through Marite, passing a filling station, it is alleged that four or five armed suspects emerged from the roadside, attempting to stop the truck by getting onto the road. The driver reportedly made a U-turn, but crashed into another vehicle. Further information indicates that the suspects began firing shots at the truck, killing the driver. The truck finally came to a stop as it hit a tree,” Mohlala said.
The two crew members were lucky to be alive, only one having suffered slight injuries.
Mohlala said some members of the public started helping themselves to items from the truck, and did not even bother to help the injured.
Read more: Hijacking and looting of trucks prevented outside Bushbuckridge
The police and paramedics were summoned to the scene where the driver, Petros Jay Magagula from Matsulu, was declared dead.
A case of murder and robbery was opened and a team of investigators has already been tasked to look into this incident.
No one has been arrested so far and the police are urging anyone with information about the hijackers, as well as those who had stolen products from the truck, to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via the My SAPS app.
Read more: Accused in Malalane CIT heist appear in court
Mohlala said the hijacking of delivery trucks between Masoyi and Marite is a concern, especially when community members loot the remains afterwards.
During July and August, more than six trucks were robbed and looted. Eight suspects were arrested and some of the looted goods, as well as a transport vehicle, were recovered.
Some community members found with some of the looted property were taken into custody. Mohlala warned the public to refrain from looting goods from hijacked trucks.
