WARNING: Avoid these spiking hotspots in Pretoria

For months, motorists in Pretoria have been complaining about criminals placing spikes or objects on public roads with the intention of robbing them.
The Gauteng traffic police said it had noted a rise in such incidents, some of them in which motorists lost their lives.
Recently, heavy objects would be thrown from overhead bridges, resulting in motorists losing control of their vehicles and crashing before being robbed, according to Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Sello Moremane.
The following routes have been identified as hotspots:
– The N4 Mpumalanga to Pretoria between Solomon Mahlangu and Watermeyer off-ramp.
– The N4 Pretoria to Mpumalanga between Bronkhorstspruit and Balmoral off-ramp.
– The N1 Polokwane N4 Mpumalanga interchange in Pretoria.
– The N4 to Rustenburg between R80 Mabopane Freeway and Brits Plaza tollgate.
– Golden Highway.
– R21 Freeway from OR Tambo International Airport to Pretoria.
Moremane said robbers targeted quiet roads where they could rob motorists of their cash and other belongings.
“These incidents happen especially on Friday evenings and throughout the weekend between 18:00 and 04:00 in the morning.”
He gave the following advice on what to do when a vehicle has been spiked:
– Never stop your vehicle if you get such a puncture; instead drive slowly to the nearest garage, while contacting the Gauteng Traffic Police.
– If you are stopped by a traffic officer, demand to see their appointment certificate to verify whether such an officer is employed by the relevant traffic authority.
– In case the officer fails to produce his or her appointment certificate, take down the registration number of the patrol vehicle and report them to immediately at the nearest police station.
– If your vehicle has had a complete breakdown on the road, remain in the vehicle with your car doors locked while seeking assistance.
– Do not allow any person to tow your vehicle without written permission.
– Should you see that another motorist has been spiked, kindly stop and give the necessary assistance.

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