A chilling dashcam video showing a truck hijacking in Delmas has surfaced online after a truck driver was allegedly attacked by passengers he had picked up on Wednesday night.
In the footage, the truck driver can be seen travelling with three male passengers inside the cab. Moments later, the situation suddenly turns violent when the passenger seated behind the driver grabs him around the neck while another suspect seated next to him reaches for the steering wheel.
The struggle forces the truck to slow down and eventually come to a complete stop on the side of the road.
Seconds later, one of the suspects is seen covering the dashcam before the video cuts out. By that stage, the driver had reportedly already been removed from the vehicle by the hijackers.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers truck drivers face when picking up hitchhikers or unauthorised passengers along South African roads.
Truck hijackings involving passengers pretending to be stranded motorists or hikers is an old modus operandi frequently used by criminal syndicates targeting freight vehicles. Suspects often wait until the truck reaches a quiet stretch of road before attacking the driver and taking control of the vehicle.
Although many transport companies have strict policies prohibiting drivers from carrying passengers, some drivers still take the chance, often out of sympathy or in exchange for a small payment. Unfortunately, incidents like this serve as a harsh reminder of how quickly things can turn deadly.
Industry insiders say drivers should remain vigilant at all times and avoid picking up unknown passengers, especially during night trips and on isolated routes.
Fortunately, the dashcam footage may now assist investigators in identifying the suspects involved in the hijacking.
Watch the video below:
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