UPDATE: Huge reward for bridge killers

In a just a few days, a reward for catching the culprits involved in the tragic rock-throwing incident that claimed the lives of a teenager and a child on the N2, has grown to over R250 000.

Outraged at the incident that took place last Wednesday, Ilembe DA member of Parliment Dean Macpherson offered a R5000 reward for information that would lead to a successful conviction of those involved.

Upon hearing of this, the community stood shoulder to shoulder and within 24 hours the R5000 had skyrocketed to R150 000 with people from all over the country pledging their support.

In a matter of a few days, the amount now sits at R250 000 and is still growing.

“From the day I put out the reward I have been inundated with calls from private individuals, corporates and businesses countrywide. My initial tweet and Facebook posts were seen by just over two million people. I felt that I had to do something to assist because this is something that happens all over the country and we have to catch the culprits to set an example,” said Macpherson.

Read the original story: Reward for tracking down bridge killers swells to R150 000

The horrific killing that touched the hearts of the nation took place when Ebrihim Haffajee was driving north on the N2.

When he passed beneath the bridge over the N2 highway on the Greylands Road leading to Crocodile Creek, a boulder was thrown from the bridge, smashing through the windscreen of his car and killing 16-year-old Amina and her 7-year-old brother, Abdur.

While initial reports indicated Amina was Haffajee’s daughter, it has now been established that Amina was his wife. Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Vinny Pillay said the teenager and her husband were from Vereeniging. They were reportedly passing through when the incident took place. Two counts of murder are being investigated.

“We are taking whatever information comes through to us very seriously and we hope that the reward will motivate people to come forward.” Pillay said rock throwing was used as a tactic to distract drivers in order to stage a hijacking. A second rock had apparently been thrown off the same bridge barely an hour before the siblings’ deaths. Many North Coast residents have since called for fencing to be put up on highway bridges.

“We need our bridges crossing the N2 fenced in such a way that these frequent rock throwers cannot continue this heartless and senseless act,” said Louis Mariska.

However, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) said this would not be possible.

“At the outset, SANRAL wishes to convey sincere condolences to the bereaved family. It is rather unfortunate that such crimes still occur sporadically within our communities adjacent to the national road network.

“SANRAL, in general, does not enclose all its bridges that cross over national roads. There are thousands of bridges within the national road network and it will result in substantial capital outlay to undertake such an exercise if rock throwing occurs more frequently,” said SANRAL Eastern region design and construction manager, Ravi Ronny Ronny said what was required was stronger law enforcement to eradicate criminal elements.

“We have always indicated that providing screens over bridges is not the single solution. Rocks can still be thrown from the adjacent embankment located on both sides of the bridge onto the freeway below. We will, however, monitor the situation at the location where this latest unfortunate incident occurred and will work with the South African Police Services and the Road Traffic Inspectorate to see how best to deal with the situation.”

Ronny added that SANRAL was not a law enforcement agency and relied on the SAPS and RTI to deal with enforcement issues.

The incident sparked outrage on social media where many expressed their sympathies to the victim’s family and pledged their support in catching those involved in the killings.

“The death sentence is a necessity to rid our country of these scumbags,” said Ronnie Baijan.

“This is the most evil, horrendous and heartless act by a person or persons without an inch of conscience and a sense of humanity. We really live in a sick society. Many of us have been so touched by this inhumane act. We trust God will do justice in his own divine way. The victims are in our prayers,” said Wiseman Mpunzana.

“SANRAL should be held liable as they should secure the bridges so this type of thing cannot happen. We pay tolls on these roads so people should be able to drive without fear,” said Chantelle Pearson.

If you would like to contribute to the reward, contact Dean Macpherson at 083 776 0202.

If you have information regarding this crime, contact either Macpherson or the Umhlali police station at 032 947 990.

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