Spiking hot spots – Here is what the police are doing

Readers, motorists, and community members have been very vocal about wanting answers from the police after several hotspots of spiking incidents have been identified in and around Pretoria. 

Here is what the police are doing about these spiking incidents. 

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza, police have deployed a SAPS Highway Patrol Unit to enhance policing and visibility on the National and Provincial Roads. 

“However, the lack of lighting on the major roads remains an inhibiting factor to effective road policing. Highway Patrol members collaborate with Flying Squad and members from the police stations policing the affected areas as well as National & Provincial Traffic and the three Metropolitan Police Departments.” 

She said instructions have also been issued for all SAPS-marked vehicles deployed at night to conduct blue light patrols to increase visibility.

Where are the current hotspots in and around Pretoria? 

• N4 West in Akasia to Brits
• N4 East to Bronkhorspruit
• N1 from Midrand to Carousel Plaza
• Ben Schoeman Road from Midrand to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre
• N1 “South” from Naturena to Vaal River.
• R80 Mabopane Freeway from Eskia Mphahlele Road to Soshanguve

What is the modus operandi of these criminals? 

Kweza said criminals place spikes on the road, then cover them with plastic or leaves. 

Also read: Motorists shot in R80 highway spiking incident

“They would then hide nearby after the motorist drives over the spikes and their car stops; the perpetrators will approach and threaten the motorist, at times armed with a firearm or a sharp object. 

“They would then rob the motorist and passengers and then disappear into the darkness.” 

What should you do if you are a victim? 

“Motorists are urged to comply with the warning board erected on the highways which reads ” Do no stop for the next 5km” as that space is a hot spot mainly during night between 20:00 until  04:00 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.” 

Anyone with information on spiking incidents may contact the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

Kweza furthermore said that when the incidents increased, a team comprising of Crime Intelligence, District and Provincial Detectives was established at the District level. 

“The team has previously arresting 13 suspects and linking them to five armed robbery cases related to spiking. Some of the cases are still in court, while two have been finalised. 

“The accused Emmanuel Muperi (19) was sentenced to 15 years in prison for robbery with a firearm while Michael Moyo (29) was sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbery with other weapon. The team was disbanded as the threat had been stabilised.” 

She said this threat then started emerging again early in 2023 with incidents increasing around June 2023 in Tshwane District. 

“The Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, was instructed to assist the district to re-establish a dedicated team led by an experienced Warrant Officer, to investigate armed robbery cases related to spiking incidents.” 

Kweza added that the team has arrested eight suspects who have been linked to 25 cases.

Last week, a motorist and passenger were shot and injured after their vehicle’s tyre was punctured in a spiking incident on the R80. 

Meanwhile, on March 31, a man was robbed and fatally stabbed on the N4, east of Pretoria, after he pulled over to inspect the damage caused by an object to his tyres.

ALSO READ: Warning: Spiking hotspots now on main routes

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