BRITSTOWN – Hours after the ordeal of a truck driver who was stabbed and robbed while sleeping in his truck next to the N12 outside Britstown in the Northern Cape early on Sunday morning, six suspects were arrested and stolen diesel and truck tyres worth thousands of rand were confiscated.

The robbery and theft incident occurred between 23:55 and 02:30 on Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June.

According to information by SA Trucker, the driver had pulled over to rest when a group of suspects allegedly targeted him while he was asleep in his truck. He was reportedly overpowered and stabbed with a sharp object before stealing ten truck wheels and siphoning diesel from the vehicle. They then fled the scene, leaving the injured driver stranded on the side of the road.

Despite his injuries, the driver managed to obtain a cellphone from another passing truck driver and contacted his employer, who immediately alerted the police. Emergency services responded to the incident and the injured driver was transported to hospital for treatment.

Swift police response leads to arrests

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, members of the Flying Squad received information from crime-fighting stakeholders regarding a vehicle involved in the incident that was reportedly travelling towards Kimberley.

Members of the Kimberley Flying Squad, in collaboration with external crime-fighting stakeholders of the South African Police Service, the E2 group structure and the SAPIS/Syntell network, subsequently spotted a vehicle fitting the description on the N12 while towing a Fuso truck and successfully brought it to a stop.

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The members tactically approached the blue Mazda Drifter bakkie and found six male occupants inside. The suspects were instructed to disembark, after which a thorough search was conducted.

Police recovered diesel valued at approximately R33 288 and tyres worth an estimated R144 000, which had been reported stolen during the robbery near Britstown.

Other items seized included empty drums, hose pipes, a Dixon battery, tools, a tyre lever, jumper cables, cellphones and bank cards.

The Mazda bakkie valued at approximately R80 000 and Fuso truck valued at approximately R200 000 were also confiscated, said Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane of the police’s Northern Cape Media Centre.

Six foreign national male suspects, aged 21 to 42, were arrested on charges of robbery, theft from a motor vehicle and assault.

Growing concerns for driver safety

According to SA Trucker, the incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by truck drivers who are forced to stop and rest along South Africa’s major freight corridors.

Criminals continue to target parked trucks for fuel, tyres, cargo and vehicle components, often attacking drivers who are alone and vulnerable during mandatory rest periods.

“The latest attack near Britstown serves as another reminder of the risks truck drivers face while keeping the country’s economy moving,” SA Trucker stated.

Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the members for their swift response and professionalism, which led to the successful arrest of the suspects.

She also expressed appreciation to the E2 group structures and other external stakeholders for their continued support and collaboration in the fight against crime.

Further investigations are underway and additional charges may be added, concluded Shemane.