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 it was part of a more sustainable long-term solution to the problem.
Read also: AA furious at rock throwing incidents
“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.”
Police believe that the motive behind these incidents is to hijack vehicles. 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.
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.
Read also: Man injured in rock attack on Old North Coast Road
There have been six rock throwing incidents, one of which resulted in the tragic deaths of Amina Haffejee, 16, and her brother Abdur Raheem, 7, who died when a boulder struck the windscreen of the car they were travelling in on the N2.
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