Rock leaving criminals target motorists in JHB
Be aware that 'rock placers' are leaving rocks on Johannesburg's highways to damage unsuspecting motorist's vehicles.
Johannesburg — Police urges motorists making use of the M2 freeway to be more vigilant especially when driving during the night or early mornings.
This follows after RECORD journalist Jacobus Myburgh’s car was damaged when he drove over a rock which was placed by criminals in the middle lane.
He said he was taking the off-ramp from the N3 highway after arriving back in the city from a late flight from Port Elizabeth.
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“A rock, strategically placed in a plastic bag in the middle lane have caused some damage to my vehicle at about 23:00 [on Thursday] night. As I just got on to the M2-freeway I noticed something in the middle of the road and obviously at that point in time I was unable to swerve as I was unsure whether there were other vehicles around me.”
He said hoping that it was just a plastic bag, he was forced to drive over it.
“After realising that my vehicle have hit something I stopped. My mother Wilma, who had picked me up at OR Tambo International airport, quickly assessed the damage to the car as I went to warn other motorist about the rock that is in the road, but two more vehicles drove over it.”
Myburgh said as he went to collect the rock he spotted one of the ‘rock placers’ on the side of the road who got angry when he noticed him removing it.
“It is clear that this rock must have been used on several occasions as it is spilled with motor oil and have several ‘crash’ marks to it.”
Myburgh is still uncertain what the complete damage is to his car, but noticed a heavy oil spill coming from underneath the vehicle indicating that the oil sump must have been damaged.
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“As a journalist I am dependent on having a vehicle, and these guys can make life really difficult for me if my car was extensively damaged.”
He said he noticed more than five cars standing next to the freeway assessing the damage to their vehicles as he went home in Roodepoort on the West Rand.
Supt Wayne Minnaar, JMPD spokesperson said Metro Police vehicles will be patrolling the M2 freeway during the late night and early morning hours.
“We have had reports about people placing rocks in the road at night in the past until the incident that happened on Wednesday. JMPD patrol officers will be more active in this area.”
Major Mack Mngomezulu, national police spokesperson told the RECORD that it must be a criminal activity.
“We are aware of criminals targeting vehicles especially on the N12 highway who would pelt them with stones and bricks but haven’t really had any incidents of rocks being placed on highways.”
He said motorists should rather continue driving as criminals are planning on hijacking or robbing the passengers of the vehicle of their belongings.
Minnaar said persons caught placing rocks on the roads can be arrested for causing obstruction.Have you been affected? Contact the newsroom on 011 724 7000 or via email on albertonrecord@caxton.co.za.
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