Spike trap hotspots in Pretoria
Police said although there was a decrease in the number of spike traps on roads reported, they were still doing patrols with TMPD in hotspot areas.
Although there have been fewer cases reported of spike trap crimes in Pretoria, police would continue to patrol “hotspot” areas.
This comes as CPFs have warned motorists not to become too complacent and to remain watchful for spike traps when travelling, especially at night.
After a spate of spike trap cases on roads throughout Pretoria last month, CPFs were urging motorists to still be vigilant when travelling on the N4, N1 and other main roads.
Last month, roads in the north of Pretoria were especially targeted by spike-trap robbers and some remain among the “hotspot” areas.
North police spokesperson Captain Matthews Nkoadi said there has been a decrease in spike trap-related crimes in the recent two weeks.
“That is not to say it is not still a problem, but people must report these crimes at their police stations otherwise we (police) will not be aware of the crimes.”
Nkoadi said police were still actively be patrolling in the hotspot areas, along with TMPD.
CPFs have listed the following hotspot areas in Pretoria:
– N4 (Pretoria to Witbank): Donkerhoek Plaza, Solomon Mahlangu interchange and Proefplaas interchange;
– N4 Brits: M17 at the Ga-Rankuwa bridge, R101 Old Warmbaths Road and R80 Hercules, with isolated cases in Soshanguve;
– N1 North and N1 South: Pumulani at Wallmansthal off-ramps.
Times in which the spike trap crimes took place varied from 19:00 in the evening to 04:00 in the morning.
CPFs warned criminals were not only using spikes but also blocked vehicles on the roads using rocks.
Last month, on the N4 East near the Donkerhoek bridge, a motorist was reportedly shot at after his vehicle’s wheel was damaged on a spike trap.
Karen Yssel of the Cullinan CPF said the motorist had kept on driving, after getting a puncture on the road, and then allegedly heard gunshots fired in his direction.
“The motorist was luckily unharmed,” Yssel previously told Rekord.
READ MORE: Shots fired in another spike trap on N4
She said the motorist was right to keep on driving after his car was spiked.
“Even with a flat or damaged wheel, motorists must keep on driving to the nearest police station or point of safety,” Yssel said.
“It is very important to report every incident and spike trap-related crime to the police so that it can be established where there is a need for more patrols.”
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