Prevention better than cure – spike-trap incidents
“So many things can happen around you, so you need to be prepared."
Tshwane residents must be extra careful to avoid falling victim to so-called “spike trap” robbers on local roads and highways, a security specialist has warned.
“Prepare yourself for the worst,” said specialist serious violent and serious economic crime investigator Mike Bolhuis.
He made the remarks during a recent Salaamedia podcast interview.
During the interview, Bolhuis noted that due to the “spike in spiking”, motorists always had to be prepared “in case of the worst”.
He emphasised that motorists should only drive when necessary, avoid driving at night and to always be vigilant of items on the road.
“The criminal of today has no concern for life,” Bolhuis said.
He also advised motorists to avoid carrying unnecessary valuables or items when they leave their homes.
READ MORE: Alleged spiker killed in highway shootout with police
They should avoid secluded roads and always carefully plan the routes while also informing at least one other person of the planned route and estimated time of return.
Motorists who owned licenced firearms and drove with them were advised to drive with a bullet in the chamber, particularly at night.
He, however, advised that in the event that the firearm would be used, it was advisable to fire a warning shot first.
“So many things can happen around you, so you need to be prepared,” Bolhuis said.
This comes amid a growing scourge in spiking incidents wherein motorists are attacked, robbed and even killed.
The information was brought to light by Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko when she answered questions posed by the DA in the provincial legislature.
In her response Mazibuko said at least 149 incidents had been reported and three people were killed in these incidents.
Wandile Banyini (7) and Leah Kwasha (36) died in the same crash in 2020 while Renald Lethaka (27) was killed in a separate incident in 2018.
Only six arrests have been made thus far, with no convictions.
Just days apart, between the end of May and beginning of June, a police officer was shot and killed and another wounded while patrolling along the N4, near the Solomon Mahlangu on-ramp in the east of Pretoria.
In the other incident, an unnamed man suspected of putting spike-traps along the N1 highway, was shot and killed in a shootout with police.
READ MORE: Law enforcement continues their search for ‘spike gang’ operating in Pretoria
Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane said these incidents usually occurred at the onset of the weekend.
“These incidents happen especially on Friday evenings and throughout the weekend, between 18:00 and 04:00 in the morning.”
Hotspot areas include the N4 to Rustenburg between the R80 Mabopane freeway and Brits Plaza tollgate, the Golden highway and R21 freeway from OR Tambo international airport to Pretoria.
Additional hotspots are the N4 Mpumalanga to Pretoria between Solomon Manhlangu and Watermeyer off-ramp, N1 Polokwane N4 Mpumalanga between Bronkhorstspruit and Balmoral off-ramp.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
