Law enforcement continues their search for ‘spike gang’ operating in Pretoria

Police said criminals would usually cover the spikes with a plastic bag, so they were unnoticed by a motorist, who drove over them damaging their cars.

The Tshwane Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said, “we have deployed our highway unit, members from that region and our K9 units to patrol known hotspots”.

“The TMPD had no luck in arrests ‘so far’,” said Mahamba.

“We are having meetings with other law enforcement agencies to address this as we’re concerned about the increase and we won’t rest until these criminals, who are terrorising members of the community, are arrested.”

Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said since Friday, they received three reports of incidents of vehicles being spiked.

He said not much information could be divulged as these reports were still under investigation. Maremane warned motorists against criminals placing spikes and other objects on public roads to rob unsuspecting motorists.

He said in other instances, hard objects were at times thrown from overhead bridges resulting in motorists losing control of their vehicles and then get involved in unnecessary accidents and being robbed of their belongings in the process.

“The modus operandi is that these criminals move from one area to the other where the roads are quiet to rob motorists of their hard-earned cash and other belongings.

“These incidents happen especially on Friday evenings and throughout the weekend between 18:00 and 04:00 in the morning.”

Spike Incidents Hotspots

The following route sections have been identified as hotspots:

• The N4 Mpumalanga to Pretoria between Solomon Mahlangu and Watermeyer offramp.
• The N4 Pretoria to Mpumalanga between Bronkhorstspruit and Balmoral offramp.
• The N1 Polokwane N4 Mpumalanga interchange in Pretoria.
• The N4 to Rustenburg between R80 Mabopane Freeway and Brits plaza tollgate.
• The Golden highway. – R21 Freeway from OR Tambo International airport to Pretoria.

He said to remain safe the following safety tips are to be followed as precaution when a vehicle has been spiked:

• Motorists should avoid driving over any plastic bags they find on the road.
• Never stop your vehicle if you get a puncture. Instead, drive slowly to the nearest garage while contacting the Gauteng Traffic Police.
• If you are stopped by a traffic officer, demand to see their appointment certificate to verify if such an officer is employed by the relevant traffic authority.
• In case the officer fails to produce his or her appointment certificate, take down the registration number of the patrol vehicle and report them to the nearest police station.
• If your vehicle has had a complete breakdown on the road, remain in the vehicle with your car locked while seeking assistance.
• Do not allow any person to tow your vehicle without written permission.
• Should you realise that another motorist has been spiked in your presence, kindly stop and give the necessary assistance.

“The placing of spikes has resulted in many road users involved in unwarranted accidents and some even losing their lives through these ruthless acts.”

Maramane said the Gauteng Traffic Police would continue to conduct law enforcement operations on Gauteng’s major routes and highways to ensure that anyone found placing an object was apprehended.

Motorists are further urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements on freeways to the Gauteng Traffic Police radio control room at 011-689-3712 or 011-689-3999 or alternatively they can contact the police on the Crime Stop number 08600-10111.