Motorist kills suspect after spikes force him to stop for puncture

Gauteng police have warned motorists to be vigilant of spikes on the roads after a motorist shot dead a suspect who had attacked him and his family when he was forced to stop his vehicle on Friday night.

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the motorist was forced to stop on the roadside after his vehicle’s tyre got a puncture at around 9pm.

“It is reported that victims were driving on the R80 highway in Akasia when they hit what they suspected to be spikes placed on the road and the tyre went flat,” Masondo said.

“It is alleged that as the driver was changing a wheel with the wife standing on the side, they were attacked by three armed men who fired shots at them. The husband shot back and one suspect was hit on the upper body while the other two fled on foot,” Masondo said.

Members of Flying Squad who were part of Operation O Kae Molao conducted in Akasia and Garankuwa responded to the scene where they covered a replica firearm lying next to the suspect. Paramedics later declared him dead at the scene.

“Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects who escaped from the scene and are warning motorists driving on R80 highway to be cautious, especially when driving at night,” Masondo said.

“The police have stabilised the incidents of car spiking in Gauteng roads that were on the increase, especially on the N4 highway and R566. Crime pattern analysis showed that as soon identified hotspots are mitigated with increased visibility of law enforcement and security partners then criminals either change their modus operandi or move to another location,” Masondo said.

Masondo added that if motorists suspected that their tyres had been punctured as a result of having driven over spikes, they must immediately alert the police by calling the SAPS emergency number 10111, while scanning their immediate environment and changing the tyre. However, he said if motorist felt unsafe they should try to drive to the nearest petrol station or police station.

In the meantime, fourteen suspects who were arrested in October 2020 for terrorising and robbing the community on the R80, Theo Martinspoort R89 and surrounding areas remain in custody and are expected to start with trial between September and December 2021.