Road spiking cases show a decline in Pretoria East

While so-called spike attacks on Pretoria east roads have seen a “sharp” drop, there was no reason to celebrate just yet, according to police.

“Although such incidents have seen a recent drop, I would like to warn motorists to remain vigilant when on our roads,” said Bocshkop police spokesperson Sergeant Yeroboam Mbatsane.

“We discourage our motorists from driving at night where possible. They must have emergency services numbers handy for assistance whenever they need help.”

For months, motorists in Pretoria have been complaining about criminals placing spikes or sharp objects on public roads to rob them.

Mbatsane said motorists should be aware of the known hotspots in the east of Pretoria, namely the old Bronkhorstspruit Road, between Savannah estate and the Jan Ellis filling station and the N4 highway and the Diamond Hills toll gate.

“Such attacks, however, happen anywhere, wherever there are no streets lights and isolated areas next to bushes or open spaces,” he said.

“No notable arrests have been made so far [in the Bocshkop area], however, a multi-disciplinary approach intervention by various law enforcement agencies and private security companies has assisted in curbing the crime.”

Mbatsane said at times, the spikes were wrapped within refuse plastic bags to make them less visible and sometimes they were tied up by chains with stones alongside.

AfriForum’s safety district coordinator in Gauteng, Llewellynn Hemmens, said their neighbourhood watches had also detected a drop in spiking cases in Pretoria.

“Just before level four it was high. Level four came it went a bit down and when level three came it went down.

“From April to June, there were 33 cases and the areas that were targeted included N4 highway from Rustenburg to Pretoria, from Pretoria to Bronkhorstspruit. the N1 near Stormvoël and Caraousel.

He said incidents took place between 19:00 and 04:00.

Initially, the modus operandi was that robbers would place spikes on the road which would puncture vehicles’ tyres after which the driver would be robbed.

Since some motorists were more aware and would not stop after hitting spikes, he said the robbers would now follow the motorist until their damaged vehicles gave in.

“They would follow the motorist until the vehicle was in such a state that it could not drive anymore,” he said.

“Unfortunately, there are a few victims that were shot and killed in these incidents.”

Avoid driving at night, inform friends and family where you are driving to, what time you will be driving and what route you will be using.

“Try and get alternative routes where possible and share your live location with the people who are expecting you.

“Do not under any circumstances stop. Try to drive as far as possible to a petrol station or a police station.”