R80 highway a hotspot for robbery and violent crime
Motorists are warned to be wary and vigilant when driving on the R80 especially at night.
The rising crime along the R80 highway in the north has not only left communities frustrated and afraid, but also feeling helpless.
A string of armed robberies, car hijackings, kidnappings, car tyre spikings and violent attacks on the highway has taken a toll on motorists and community members.
The stretch of the R80 highway between the Theo Martins Poort Mountains in the Magaliesberg and the R80 highway at the Rosslyn off-ramp has been declared a hotspot for violent attacks, robberies and car tyre spikings and motorists are warned to avoid stopping there, especially at night.
The violence has not only led to the loss of property, but also life in past years.
Police recently made a breakthrough as two suspected R80 highway robbers were nabbed in a sting near the Rosslyn off-ramp.
The breakthrough came after residents, taxi associations and motorists took desperate measures blockading the highway, demanding action be taken on Tuesday, October 3.
The protest appeared to have been a turning point.
In response, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has mobilised extra resources to crack down on the robberies and increased police visibility in the area.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said on Wednesday, organised crime police conducted an operation targeting the robbery suspects.
“An officer stopped on the side of the road, pretending to be relieving himself while colleagues were on surveillance.”
Nevhuhulwi said as the officer walked towards the bushes, two armed men emerged from the tunnel under the R80.
“The surveillance team swiftly reacted and pounced on the suspects.”
She said police found two jackets and hats in the suspects’ backpack that the men were suspected to have used to change their appearance after the robberies.
A preliminary investigation led police to an address, where they found a lady who confirmed that she had bought a cellphone from one of the suspects.
“She also led police to another woman, who also allegedly bought a cellphone from the same suspect,” Nevhuhulwi added.
The two women were also arrested for possession of suspected stolen property.
The suspects are facing a case of armed robbery, attempted robbery, violent crime and possession of stolen property.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
On September 15, more than 15 passengers were robbed of their property on the R80 highway, when robbers attacked their minibus taxi that had broken down on the side of the road.
According to police, the taxi came to a sudden stop due to a mechanical breakdown towards the Rosslyn offramp, and while the driver was waiting for help, seven armed men pounced on them.
Police said the suspects forced the victims into the nearby bush and then fled the scene with their cellphones and undisclosed property.
One of the victims took to social media, posting she was scared for her life as the men came out of the shadows, all armed.
The victim posted that the men calmly asked all the passengers to cooperate or suffer the consequences.
Police said no injury was reported.
On the night of Tuesday, October 4, the tyres of a woman’s car were spiked on the Theo Martins Poort R80 highway.
Two of the tyres burst, but luckily, she was assisted by two men driving from Pretoria North.
Rosslyn CPF told Rekord that the two suspects apprehended on the R80 on Wednesday October 4 took responsibility
for the criminal activity on the R80.
The CPF said one of the suspects is believed to be a foreign national.
The CPF said some private security company and community members have vowed to join a patrolling team which will safeguard motorists on the highway.
“We are heading to the festive season now and criminals are opportunists, they will try in every form or way to get money, so if the community works together the criminals can be defeated.”
The CPF said the war against the R80 robbers is not yet over and some are still out there, planning to attack unsuspecting motorists.
Gauteng police have since put the highway under the spotlight and declared war on the robbers.
Motorists are warned against stopping on the following highways at night:
– R80 Mabopane highway from the Rosslyn off-ramp
– N1 Polokwane-N4 Mpumalanga interchange in Pretoria.
– N4 to Rustenburg between the R80 Mabopane freeway and Brits Plaza tollgate
What to do when your tyre is spiked:
– Don’t stop. Instead, contact police, the local patrol or CPF while driving slowly to the nearest safe location
– If you are stopped by a traffic officer, demand to see their appointment certificate to verify that the officer is employed by the relevant traffic authority. In case the officer fails to provide proof thereof, take down their patrol vehicle registration number and report the incident to the nearest police station immediately
– In case your vehicle is immobilised, remain in your vehicle, lock your doors and seek assistance
– Do not allow any person to tow your vehicle without written permission
– Should you see that the tyres of another motorist’s vehicle has been spiked, kindly stop and give the necessary assistance
– Avoid driving in hotspot areas at night
– Do not drive over any object and if you do, do not stop until you reach a safe, well-lit area
– Take note of vehicles following you
ALSO READ:
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R80 highway spiking slowly returns
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