The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) announced that it has increased visibility of its personnel on highways that have been identified as hotspots for vehicle spiking.
The announcement comes amid an increase in spiking incidents in Pretoria over the past few weeks.
The modus operandi of spiking gangs is to throw spikes across a road to immobilise vehicles. When drivers stop to repair the punctured tyre, they are robbed of their belongings and even assaulted.
Speaking to eNCA recently, Crime Watch’s Yusuf Abramjee warned motorists about an alarming increase in vehicle spiking incidents over the past few months in Gauteng, especially in and around Tshwane.
Earlier this month, Abramjee also posted on X that not even ambulances or the police are spared from falling prey to vehicle spiking.
This after a Tshwane flying squad vehicle drove over spikes on the N1 between the Murrayhill and Hammanskraal tollgates.
TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba said that since police visibility has increased on Tshwane highways, “several vehicles were assisted before they could be robbed after spiking”.
“Furthermore, pedestrians found on highways are searched and removed from highways.”
Mahamba warned that spiking incidents occur mostly when visibility is limited.
“Motorists are advised to avoid driving during late hours unless unavoidable,” he said.
The TMPD has identified the following hotspot areas for vehicle spiking in Tshwane:
ALSO READ: Car spiking hotspots to look out for on Gauteng roads
MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert provided some tips on how motorists can increase their chances of avoiding vehicle spiking incidents.
Here are some tips from Alpha Security Forum for motorists if your vehicle has been spiked.
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