Novel plan to curb roadside attacks
HAVING a vehicle breakdown or flat tyre in parts of Durban can cost you dearly, not in repair bills – but in serious injury or even death.
Now, following a spate of violent attacks on motorists along the M19, N2 (near the Umgeni Interchange) and the M7, a concerted drive – spearheaded by a private shooting club – is being made to catch the culprits.
“For the first time we have police, civil society and security companies coming together to fight this social ill,” said Rivaaj Ramdas of the Tactical Shooting Team (TST).
“Motorists are fearful and concerned about their safety and they have every right to be.
“In the last few months we have had numerous reports on social media of how motorists whose cars have broken down were being robbed and assaulted at the side of the road. This has to stop.”
Ramdas said most of the attacks took place near where informal settlements are located.
“On Friday I attended an accident scene on the M19 freeway just after the Reservoir Hills off-ramp where a pedestrian died after being knocked down by a motorist.
“A SAPS member informed me that after the accident the driver got out of his vehicle to help the victim and was accosted by robbers.
“The suspects took his wallet and cellphone. Fearful, the man fled.”
In a separate incident on the same road, a man got stuck for fuel and was attacked by two men who banged on his car door, opened it and robbed him.
Ramdas, with his team, the SAPS Durban Flying Squad, local security companies and residents have set up a task team to put an end to the robberies.
“Police cannot do everything and with crime being as high as it is we cannot expect police to be everywhere.”
The team will stage a breakdown at various times at robbery hot spots to lure robbers.
“We will be using two vehicles and our security teams will be nearby on standby to respond if we are attacked.”
The operation, said Ramdas, should not be viewed as an act of vigilantism.
“We’re not setting a trap to harm anyone.
“We’re doing this to ensure the safety of motorists so that the perpetrators can get long jail sentences for their heinous crimes.”
He said about a year ago, a man was assaulted on the N2 after a breakdown and a woman was almost raped when her car broke down.
“At that time we staged something similar and although we did not catch the perpetrators we managed to stop the attacks for a while.”
Ramdas said things had started to flare up again and he hoped the team’s efforts would help curb the problem.
In the meantime, Ramdas has advised motorists not to get out of their cars when they have a breakdown but rather call people for help.
“If you can, drive to the nearest garage or a safer place and wait for help, even if you have a flat tyre.
“A damaged tyre and rim can be replaced. Your life cannot.”
The police had not commented at the time of publication.