A 42-year-old man was arrested last night in connection with an armed robbery at the Tongaat toll plaza in KZN.

According to Tongaat SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Manisha Maharaj-Marie, a truck driver and his assistant stopped to relieve themselves when they were approached by three men emerging from nearby bushes.

“Two of the men carried handguns. The driver managed to escape, but his assistant was shot in the right shoulder by one of the assailants, who then took two cellphones and money,” says Maharaj-Marie.

In a swift response, police pursued the suspects and arrested one of the men found hiding in a bush close to the toll plaza.

“He was found with the stolen property and charged with possession of stolen goods. This arrest may also be linked to other recent cases on the N2 toll route,” adds Maharaj-Marie.

This incident again highlights ongoing security concerns in the area.

Last month an attempted hijacking occurred at the Tongaat toll onramp during which the driver was shot in the leg.

A firefight ensued between police and the hijackers, resulting in the death of one of them, while the others managed to escape.