A quick-thinking truck driver was rescued just in time in what could have turned into a deadly hijacking after activating a panic button during an armed attack in Rustenburg, North West.
Police have since arrested two suspects, aged 46 and 49, following the incident which involved the hijacking and kidnapping of a 38-year-old driver transporting diesel valued at over R30,000.
According to the South African Police Service, the driver was on duty delivering fuel to a depot when he was approached by a man pretending to be an assistant. The situation quickly escalated when the suspect pulled out a firearm and forced the driver back into the truck.
Two more suspects climbed into the vehicle, taking control of the situation and ordering the driver to continue driving with them inside.
What the suspects did not realise was that the driver had managed to trigger a panic button, alerting authorities to the unfolding hijacking.
The signal was picked up by the Cash-In-Transit Task Team, who moved quickly to trace the truck’s location. Officers tracked the vehicle to Ramochana, near Rustenburg, where they found the driver still inside the truck.
One of the suspects managed to flee the scene, but two others were arrested on the spot.
Police confirmed that the suspects are facing charges of hijacking and kidnapping and are expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Authorities praised the rapid response of the specialised task team, saying their swift action not only secured the driver’s safety but also prevented the loss of cargo.
The incident once again highlights the growing importance of in-vehicle safety systems, especially in high-risk sectors like fuel transport, where drivers remain prime targets for organised crime.
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