Mpumalanga motorists warned of increased tyre spike incidents on roads
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Major General Thulani Phahla, urges motorists to remain vigilant when travelling on Mpumalanga's roads.
This comes after a reported 24 tyre spike incidents occurred in Mpumalanga since the beginning of April to May 18. The suspects typically place sharp objects on the road during the night or in the early hours of the morning. Once a motorist drives over these spikes, their tyre gets punctured and then the driver would stop to inspect the car.
Once the motorist has stepped out of their car to inspect the vehicle, an often-armed gang – which has been waiting for this moment – attacks and robs the motorist of all their possessions. The affected areas include:
- Middelburg on the N4 National Road,
- Bethal,
- Kendall,
- Phola/Ogies on the N12 near Arbor off ramp,
- Delmas still on the N12 National Road as well as from Bronkorstspruit towards Witbank on the N4.
- Witbank on the Dellville Street- CBD,
- Verena Road, R555 Old Ogies Road,
- Calcutta area,
- R40 around Marite area,
- Belfast on the N4 National Road next to Wonderfontein and
- Acornhoek at Matsikitsane area.
However motorists are further cautioned to be vigilant throughout Mpumalanga as well as other provinces. There have been reports of a ‘spike gang’ causing havoc on the N4 highway near Pretoria over this past week.
“I strongly appeal that motorists should be vigilant when on the road, particularly when driving in the evening or early in the morning as that is when they (motorists) are targeted,” says General Phahla.
