Truck hijacked in Barberton, driver assaulted
A case of robbery with a firearm on the R40 is being investigated by the Barberton police. A truck was hijacked and the driver assaulted.
A truck was recovered along the R40 in Barberton less than an hour after being hijacked early on Tuesday afternoon, August 22, and the driver was assaulted.
The recovery was conducted by AG Solutions, with the assistance of Hi-Tech Barberton and Hi-Tech Nelspruit. Callen Herbst of AG Solutions said the hijacking reportedly occurred at about 13:00. The truck had been transporting milk.
Barberton Police Station’s spokesperson, Constable Prayer Mbungela, said, “The driver had noticed a double-cab behind him. He changed into the slow lane to allow the bakkie to pass. It drove up next to him, and a passenger sitting in the back pointed a firearm at him.”
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He said the driver first ignored this, but the suspect started firing shots at him. This is when he stopped his truck. Mbungela said there were four men in the vehicle, and two of them jumped out and got into the truck with the driver. The truck was driven to a Noordkaap gravel road off the R40.
He said the driver was robbed of some cash and pistol-whipped by the suspects, who left him on the roadside. The driver was able to get a lift to the main road and called his manager. He was taken to RH Phodi Clinic in Barberton, where he is recuperating.
The truck was recovered on the Noordkaap road about 45 minutes later.
AG Solutions’ director, Albert Gryvenstein, said hijackings in the area have picked up significantly, and he urged people to remain vigilant. He said he is thankful to companies like Hi-Tech for their assistance.
The police are investigating a case of robbery with a firearm.
