Cape Town – Truck drivers are increasingly being hijacked and robbed of their personal belongings by people posing as clients, police in South Africa’s North West have warned.
In a statement, police spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh said that several cases of truck hijackings had been reported between February and April this year.
“Police management in the Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 1 in Brits, would like to warn truck drivers about escalating truck hijackings occurring in the policing precincts of Brits, Mmakau and Mothotlung…
“In one of the incidents at Mothotlung on Wednesday, 13 April 2022, a 59-year-old truck driver was sent by his employer to collect goods in Brits. He was provided with a cell phone number and location of the client for collection. Upon arrival at the said location, he called the client who sent someone to accompany him to the collection site.
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“The truck driver and the man proceeded to Mothotlung via Damonsville. It is alleged that the pair met with another man, who was supposed to direct and accompany them to the collection site. After getting in the truck, he allegedly pointed the driver with a firearm and instructed him to start the truck.
“Suddenly, the third man emerged, but the driver proceeded and ultimately stopped at Mothotlung cemetery where he was forced out of the truck at gunpoint. The suspects tied his hands and legs with a rope, then robbed him of his cell phone, bank card and an undisclosed amount of cash before driving off with the truck,” Myburgh said.
In another separate incident which took place on Wednesday, March 16, a 26-year-old truck driver, who was accompanied by a crew member, went to collect a container in Brits.
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Upon arrival at the collection point, they were approached by three unknown males and one of them pointed them with a firearm and instructed that the truck be stopped.
“The suspects allegedly tied the victims up, then searched and robbed them of their cell phones, bank cards and an undisclosed amount of cash. Consequently, the suspects drove off with the truck and left the victims stranded in the bushes near a mine,” said Myburgh.
He urged truck drivers to be vigilant at all times, especially when they were to meet with unknown clients.
“Furthermore, they must avoid meeting in secluded areas, but rather use frequented public places, such as fuel stations,” Myburgh said.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Pexels
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