R104 spiking robbery turns fatal

Police are investigating a murder case after a man was shot and killed during a spiking incident on the R104/Old Bronkhorstspruit Road on Saturday evening.

• Silverton police spokesperson Warrant Officer Isaac Mculu said the incident took place around 21:30, only a few kilometres before the Skierlik informal settlement in Boschkop. 

“The man, who is a taxi driver, drove over the spikes and got a flat tyre,” Mculu said.

“When he stopped to check his tyre, he was ambushed by four men, two of whom were armed.”

The 56-year-old man was shot in the chest and robbed of his belongings which included two phones and some cash.

Mculu said the man was found dead a few meters away from his vehicle, which suggested that he may have tried to run after he was shot.

“Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects. We urge anyone with information to contact the Silverton police station.”

Over the past few weeks, the road has been the scene of a spate of attacks on motorists who encounter spikes or rocks being placed on the road.

This has led security and CPF in the area to believe that there was a gang operating along the road.

According to AfriForum’s Gauteng safety co-ordinator, Llewellyn Hemmens the activities on the road suggested that there was an “arrogant” gang of robbers along the road who were targeting unsuspecting motorists.

“It looks like it’s a new gang that’s working in that area,” he said.

“They operate even while police patrols are on. So they are taking advantage of the fact that no one is expecting them to attack while patrols are on. They are actually very arrogant.”

Previously, it was reported that the criminals mostly operated around midnight and in the early hours of the morning.

This was, however, no longer the case.

“There is no pattern, they have become very unpredictable,” Hemmens said.

In some of the spiking incidents, motorists have either been shot or shot at by robbers.

Boschkop CPF chairperson Ross Welsh said there was more than one gang operating along the R104.

“There is definitely more than one,” he said.

“There are different crimes as you move along the road.

“There are parts of the road where some throw stones at your vehicle. Then you have guys higher up the road who seem to be part of a different gang because they do it differently by placing large objects across the road.

“Some victims have told us that the robbers, after taking your valuables, are immediately picked up by a getaway vehicle.”

Welsh urged motorists in distress to call 10111 and to avoid stopping when they encounter any objects on the road.

“Don’t stop for anyone until you get to a garage or an open well-lit public area. The most important thing is that you keep your eyes on the road. Try using alternative routes.”

ALSO READ:Motorist shot and wounded in spike attack

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