Law enforcement aware of yearly spike trend on Tshwane routes

Law enforcement in Tshwane is aware of recent increasing tyre spiking incidents involving cars being spiked and damaged.

The spiking trend has been ongoing for several years and incidents have been rapidly increasing of late with a string of armed robberies, car hijackings, kidnappings and violent attacks plaguing motorists on various routes.

Police confirmed reports of tyre spiking occurred in Gauteng recently and have formed a task team solely working to focus on these crimes.

Incidents have been lodged on the N4 (Bakwena), R104 and N4 (Emalahleni), while the R80 is especially notorious for these attacks.

Three spiking incidents were reported on the N4 (Emalahleni) and R104, close to the Blyde Estate this week.

TMPD senior superintendent Isaac Mahamba said these incidents were brought to his attention.

Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) spokesperson Sello Maremane said they had noted the N1 Polokwane between Carousel and Pumulani Plaza was also a hotspot for attacks.

“The N4 Emalahleni between the Cullinan off-ramp and Watermeyer Street are just some of the routes where spiking incidents occur.”

Maremane said the GTP had instituted operations together with other law enforcement on road safety awareness campaigns to educate motorists to remain vigilant.

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, police were intensifying patrols conducted by various law enforcement officers.

“Victims need to report the incidents for investigation and ensure successful prosecution. There are also task teams working on these incidents to apprehend the suspects.”

The task teams were deployed to decrease the spiking-related attacks when the R80 highway in the north of Pretoria had left motorists afraid and feeling helpless.

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.

On the night of October 4, the tyres of a woman’s car were spiked on the Theo Martins Poort R80 highway, however, she was luckily assisted by two men driving from Pretoria North, according to the local CPF.

On September 15, more than 15 passengers were robbed of their property on the R80 highway, when seven armed robbers attacked a minibus taxi that had broken down on the side of the road.

Motorists have been warned to avoid stopping along the R80, especially at night.

Police recently made a breakthrough after two suspected robbers were nabbed in a sting near the Rosslyn off-ramp. This after residents, taxi associations and motorists took desperate measures and blockaded the highway, demanding action be taken on October 3.

They are believed to be the perpetrators of the R80 highway spiking-related crimes.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the arrests were made in an operation where an officer stopped on the side of the road, pretending to be relieving himself while colleagues were on surveillance.

She said in no time, two armed men emerged from the tunnel under the R80.

“The surveillance team swiftly reacted and pounced on the suspects.”

Nevhuhulwi said police found two jackets and hats in the suspects’ backpacks that the men were suspected to have used to change their appearance after the robberies.

The suspects are facing a case of armed robbery, attempted robbery, violent crime and possession of stolen property.

What to do when your vehicle’s tyre is damaged because of tyre spiking:
– 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.
– Don’t allow any person to tow your vehicle without written permission.
– Should you see that the tyres of another motorist’s vehicle have been spiked, kindly stop and give the necessary assistance.
– Avoid driving in hotspot areas at night.
– Don’t drive over any object in the road and if you do, do not stop until you reach a safe, well-lit area.
– Take note of suspicious vehicles following you.

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