The Arrive Alive website received the following email which we passed on to the National Roads Agency as well:
Subject:
N17 HIGHWAY MUGGING
Message:
“Good afternoon I am not quite sure who to report this incident to. Kindly refer me to the correct person if not for your department.
We are frequent users of the N17 Toll Road, between Springs and Johannesburg, Wemmer Pan off ramp. Yesterday whilst travelling this route we had to make an emergency stop next to the road. My husband uses oxygen and we needed to regulate the flow of the oxygen cylinder.
We just pulled off the road, made sure nobody was around and before we could even get out of the car, we were approached by three armed men who held us at gunpoint.
We were robbed of cash, cell phone, bank cards and a gold ring. I almost had my finger cut off because I wasn’t quick enough in getting the ring off. I told them to wait – I will get it off. One kept telling the other to shoot them, shoot them.
As we were robbed of all our cash, had no money to pay the toll gate fee at Gosforth Plaza. With blood streaming down my hands from the assault, we explained to the booth attendant we had no money to pay.
I would just like to make people aware of the dangers of stopping next to the road for any reason. It almost cost us our lives.”
We always advise drivers not to continue driving when tired / fatigued! It is however also important to emphasize the need for alertness to criminality and to time those stops to a secure and well-lit environment!
Also view:
Crime as a Threat to Road Safety