N12 blue light hijackers strike again

More motorists have become targets of brazen criminals on the N12 highway where there has recently been a spate of murders, hijackings and robberies.

In 2019, the police declared the N12 a high-risk area after recording a number of cases at various police stations, including the Benoni SAPS, Crystal Park SAPS, Daveyton and Springs SAPS.

In a story published by the Benoni City Times in 2021, police identified hijacking hotspots, which included the N12 highway near the Daveyton and Etwatwa off-ramps, Holfontein Road, Brazil Street and Matthewson Street.

Despite police efforts, serious incidents continue as motorists suffer at the hands of these perpetrators.

A 43-year-old woman from Benoni, who wished to remain anonymous, is the latest victim after she and her husband were accosted along the N12 highway near Holfontein Road.

According to her, on June 29, while she and her husband were travelling from Delmas to Benoni, a ‘police vehicle’ fitted with blue lights stopped their Ford Ranger bakkie.

“One of the men, who was wearing a police uniform, approached my husband on the driver’s side indicating that we should get out of the car so that he can check our car.”

“We were shoved to the backseat, which had little to no space because of the items we had in the vehicle.

“We were cable tied and our belongings, including jewellery and cellphones, were taken. They asked for our bank account pins and told us to put our heads down.”

She said three of the five so-called police officers climbed into their bakkie and one of them drove the bakkie.

“They drove along the N12, making roundabouts over the highway towards Benoni. At some point they stopped, got out and three men who were not wearing police uniform took over.

“They made a U-turn towards the direction we came from. Along the way, the car came to a complete stop and they fled, leaving us in the vehicle near the N12 Etwatwa off-ramp.

“I managed to get out of the backseat and started to drive towards Benoni because my husband was still tied up too tightly.”

The victim said the three men were more aggressive and violent.

On the couple’s way to Benoni, they passed a white BMW police vehicle and due to fear, they didn’t stop.

The woman said they then noticed an EMPD vehicle and managed to get their attention to pull over.

“The BMW police vehicle also pulled behind us.

“The officers were not helpful. They didn’t sympathise with us. They were hesitant to believe us when we told them what happened.

“After a while, they eventually untied my husband.”

They opened a case of kidnapping and attempted hijacking at the Benoni SAPS, which has since been transferred to the Sundra SAPS.

The couple said they are happy to be alive despite their traumatising ordeal.

“Fortunately, no money was withdrawn from our accounts. We are sharing our story because we want to warn other motorists to be vigilant while driving on the N12,” said the woman.

Their case is being investigated by Sundra SAPS and Benoni City Times will request comment from this station.

Incidents the Benoni City Times has reported on:
• In 2019, woman was hijacked on the Holfontein Road bridge, on a Saturday evening, after she was stopped by what appeared to be policemen.
• Johanco Fleischman (19) and Jessica Kuhn (21) were shot and killed on the Putfontein bridge on May 26, 2019.
• Warrant Officer Mokgadi Joseas Mpepe of the Benoni Flying Squad was shot and killed just after the Etwatwa off-ramp on the N12 on June 13, last year, following a shootout with suspects. According to a police report, members from the K9 Unit of the SAPS were patrolling along the N12 highway when they noticed a state vehicle along the highway between Delmas and Daveyton.
• Two armed suspects and a cyclist were left dead during a dramatic chase on the N12 highway, past the Etwatwa off-ramp, Katboschfontein, on June 27, last year.
• On June 23, a white Toyota van was hijacked while travelling on the N12 towards Witbank. Alcohol valued at R200 000 was stolen.

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