In a shocking incident, community members stole dairy products out of a truck while the fatally shot driver’s body was still behind the wheel.

The incident happened on Tuesday in Marite, close to Alexandria in Mpumalanga. According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the driver and two crew members were travelling on the R40 towards Bushbuckridge at about 08:30, doing a delivery, when the attack happened.

As they were passing through Marite, it is alleged that four or five armed people attempted to stop the truck.

“The driver reportedly made a U-turn and 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 says.

One of the crew members suffered slight injuries.

After the attackers fled the scene, Mohlala says some members of the public started helping themselves to items from the truck and did not help the injured man.

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 been tasked to look into the incident.

No one has been arrested.

Mohlala says the hijacking of delivery trucks between Masoyi and Marite is a concern, especially when community members loot afterwards.

During July and August, more than six trucks were looted. Eight suspects were arrested and looted goods, as well as a transport vehicle, were recovered, he adds.

Community members found with some of the looted property were also taken into custody.

Mohlala warns the public to refrain from looting goods from hijacked trucks.

The police urge anyone with information about the alleged hijackers, and those who stole products from the truck, to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information via the My SAPS app.