Watch: Tow truck truce after punches fly in George

A fistfight between two George tow truck operators at an accident scene in the Kaaimans Pass on Sunday has again exposed fierce rivalry within the local towing industry.

George Herald reports that a video that went viral shows Werner Herselman from Star Towing and Repairs and Kobie van Zyl from Crash Towing throwing punches when emergency personnel were working to free an injured patient from a wrecked freight truck.

The altercation unfolded amid the chaos of a serious crash involving two large trucks that forced the closure of the N2 through Kaaimans Pass for more than four hours. At one stage, traffic was backed up over 21km from Wilderness to Sedgefield.

The two men later made peace and spoke to George Herald. It would seem that flaring tempers, frustration and miscommunication sparked the altercation.

However, the incident has reignited debate over the longstanding tensions between local tow truck operators, often accused of territorial disputes, professional jealousy and even alleged favouritism and pay-offs or bribes to officials.

While many operators provide an essential service and work closely with the authorities, competition for accident scenes has led to repeated confrontations. Some companies work on contracts with insurers or municipalities, while others rely on jobs on a first-come, first-served basis, contributing to localised tow truck wars.

After the incident, the organisation Live Traffic NPC issued a message to all tow truck companies, reminding them of their vital role. The statement condemned reckless behaviour, such as racing to accidents and fighting over towing rights, calling it unacceptable and damaging to public trust.

According to Ettienne Pel, national chairperson of the United Towing Association of South Africa (Utasa), the ongoing unruly conduct of certain breakdown operators in George is unacceptable.

“Despite repeated incidents, there have been no meaningful repercussions. Law enforcement’s failure to act decisively has emboldened rogue operators and eroded public trust,” he said.

In October, Utasa participated in a stakeholder meeting in George with various law enforcement agencies, yet the situation remains unchanged.

“In two separate incidents, operators were seen physically fighting in the presence of law enforcement. In one case, a female officer called for arrests, but none were made. In another, an operator openly defied an officer, claiming immunity from arrest,” said Pel.

He said that while tow truck drivers provide an important service, their conduct on crash scenes must be regulated. “Utasa is involved in developing industry regulations and remains committed to seeing them implemented urgently.”

Municipality gives feedback

According to Lee-Anne Meiring, the senior manager for Community Safety, provincial traffic officials were in charge at the Kaai-mans Pass crash, while municipal law enforcement provided support.

She said the municipality has taken steps to regulate tow truckers’ conduct at accident scenes, including meetings with service providers, co-ordination with the police and instructions to safety personnel to uphold proper protocols.

Bribe allegations

Meiring said the municipality is aware of allegations of preferential treatment or compensation involving certain tow truck companies, but says no substantiated evidence has been provided to date.

To promote fairness and safety on accident scenes, management and emergency services will meet with local tow-in companies to reinforce legal requirements and co-operation.

George Municipality’s traffic department does not allocate or notify tow-in services when accidents occur.

In cases involving injuries, fatalities or alleged criminal offences, the police are the lead authority, while the fire department handles rescue and recovery operations.

The public is reminded that, unless otherwise directed by law, it is their right to choose which tow-in service to use.

Tow trucks may not enter an active scene without authorisation from the police or an enforcement officer.

Read the municipality’s complete feedback here.

• At the time of publishing, only one truck driver was confirmed hospitalised, and his condition remained unknown.

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