Law enforcement agencies have increased visibility on freeways by deploying vehicles that will specifically deal with this crime after taxis, ambulances, private motorists and even police vehicles were recently targeted.
Several incidents have been reported of motorists allegedly experiencing spikes placed on public roads and rocks thrown off bridges to force them to stop and attend to their vehicles, which leads to them becoming crime victims.
In a recent incident, a motorist and passenger were shot and injured after their vehicle’s tyre went flat due to spiking on the R80. A police vehicle was also targeted by the highway spiking gang on the N1 between the Murrayhill and Hammanskraal tollgates.
In other incidents, an Akasia police officer was injured when a rock was thrown off the bridge onto the vehicle while patrolling the R80, while an ER24 ambulance was involved in a spiking incident on the N4 before the R80 turnoff in the direction of Soshanguve.
According to Tshwane metro police department (TMPD) spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, the TMPD was aware of the increasing crimes related to spiking vehicles, especially on freeways.
“The trend is that a vehicle is spiked and when it stops, criminals rob occupants of their belongings and sometimes assault them.
“The TMPD together with the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies have increased visibility on freeways by deploying vehicles that will specifically deal with this crime,” said Mahamba.
He said pedestrians found on highways are searched and removed from highways.
The TMPD has identified the following hotspot areas for spiking in Tshwane:
– N4 Highway eastbound between Wonderboom and Bronkhorspruit.
– N4 Highway westbound between Doornpoort and Brits toll plazas.
– Mabopane Highway between Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and Ruth First Road.
– N1 Highway between Carousel and Maubane Bridge.
“A spike-monitoring vehicle is deployed daily in these hotspot areas,” he said.
Mahamba said these incidents occur in daylight and most when visibility is limited.
The modus operandi includes the following:
– Blocking the roadway with rocks which ultimately forces motorists to divert and fall into a trap.
– Throwing sharp objects like rocks and spikes onto the roadway that may damage vehicle tyres.
Motorists are advised to avoid driving during late hours unless unavoidable.
Here are some tips for motorists if spiked:
– Reduce speed, but don’t stop. Try to keep the vehicle momentum going as much as possible. Your life is more important than the vehicle.
– Try to reach a safe spot or spot with lighting.
– Share your location on the spiking groups or any security group or forum.
– Give a brief description via a voice note.
– Keep updating briefly via voice notes.
– If your car can’t go further, leave everything, but your phone and run and hide somewhere, make sure to mute your phone and dim your screen, try to keep moving if possible.
– If you do get caught, lie down with arms out and all your possessions away from your body, and don’t engage with them.
Mahamba said the TMPD is putting measures in place to curb crime in the metro while police visibility on freeways has increased.
ALSO READ: Combined Operation by law enforcement to combat spiking incidents
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