On Tuesday, 13 June 2023, at midday, a 39-year-old man driving a white Scania Truck loaded with cooking oil stopped beside the N4 road, close to the Swartruggens Toll Gate to relieve himself. He was allegedly confronted by three suspects driving a silver Toyota Yaris. They blindfolded and forced him into their vehicle, taking his possessions, personal documents and cellular phone. He was ultimately released at an unknown location and contacted the police in Swartruggens two days later.
In a second unrelated incident reported on Wednesday, 14 June 2023, at about noon, a 29-year-old driver was driving on the R511 road, near the N4 off-ramp in Brits in his white Toyota Hilux, on his way to deliver medication. Two vehicles allegedly forced him to stop after being boxed in from the front by a Ford Figo vehicle and from the back by a Nissan Almera. After pulling off the road, the suspects forced into an Almera at gunpoint and took his vehicle. After the incident, the victim was dropped off at an unknown location in Muldersdrift, where a passerby assisted him in alerting the police.
In another unrelated incident reported in Rustenburg on Thursday, 15 June 2023, at about 05:30, a 45-year-old victim was driving in his Toyota Fortuner to work. He was allegedly stopped and boxed in by two vehicles (Ford Ranger and BMW) at a stop street on the corner of Boom and Zendeling Street. Four armed suspects ordered him out of his car, and they drove off with his vehicle, leaving the victim next to the road.
In the last incident reported on Thursday, 15 June 2023, at about 20:15, a 34-year-old victim was driving on the R566 road at Lokgalong in Marikana in a Toyota Quantum. He had just dropped off his colleague when a black Audi allegedly stopped next to him, and one of the occupants pointed him a firearm. Three suspects entered the Quantum, and they drove off with the victim. The victim managed to open the door of the Quantum and jumped out whilst the suspects continued to drive off.
Motorists, especially drivers of delivery vehicles, are urged to be extra vigilant at all times.
