IN a concerted joint effort to curb alarming incidents of rock throwing at bridges, Durban Metro Police and other law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service and Road Traffic Inspectorate have beefed up patrols along key routes and bridges.
This intervention was implemented following numerous reports that rocks and bricks were being thrown at vehicles from overhead bridges.
eThekwini Municipality deputy mayor, Fawzia Peer, said as part of a more sustainable long-term solution to the problem, the City is looking at constructing steel cages over bridges, erecting closed-circuit television cameras and improving lights on bridges.
“This will be subject to normal council procedures and availability of funding,” said Peer.
“Police believe that the motive behind these incidents is to hijack motorists. The modus operandi is that once a rock is thrown, the motorist is then forced to stop, after which, they may be attacked. Other possible motives are being investigated by the relevant law enforcement agencies,” she said.
ALSO READ: City proposes steel cages to curb rock-throwing incidents
Two siblings were killed over the festive season on the N2 near Ballito when a rock was thrown at the car they were travelling in.
Numerous other incidents have been reported to authorities since then.
Metro Police have urged motorists to be observant when approaching bridges and not to stop under any circumstance, but rather to remain calm and drive to the nearest police station or service station from where they can call the police.
Any suspicious activity can be reported to the municipality’s emergency call centre on 031 361 0000.
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