A shocking act of violence rocked Afrisam in Lichtenburg last week Monday night, when a South African truck driver, after jumping the queue, allegedly stabbed a Botswana trucker who confronted him about his actions.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when the SA-registered truck overtook a Botswana-registered truck that had momentarily paused to fill up air pressure after the queue had started moving.
The Botswana trucker approached the SA driver to question his impatience, pointing out that he was clearly busy filling up pressure.
The brief exchange quickly turned ugly, and the Botswana driver went to report the matter to the on-site security.
It’s alleged that the South African driver became increasingly enraged, and in a shocking twist, the security guards reportedly fled the scene when they saw him advancing in a fury.
Armed with a panga, the SA driver then allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the Botswana trucker — once in the hand and once in the left side of the chest.
The chest wound was described as particularly deep and severe.
The victim was rushed to Bophelong Hospital, where he is currently recovering.
Afrisam confirmed the incident in an internal communication that read:
“There has been a safety incident at Dudfield Despatch where one driver from JJO stabbed another driver from Botswana with a knife.
We are awaiting the police to come and do their investigation and to clear the scene.
Once the police is done, Despatch will re-open.”
At the time of publishing, the suspect had not yet been arrested.
Read | Queue-Jumping Trucker Arrested for Allegedly Stabbing Another Driver at Kopfontein Border
The victim told SA Trucker that police visited him in hospital on the night of the attack and said they would wait for him to recover before proceeding with the investigation.
The violent encounter has rattled the trucking community — especially given that the person who jumped the queue turned out to be the attacker as well.
“The attack was senseless. You can’t jump the queue and then stab the person you jumped — that’s just wrong,” said one trucker who spoke to SA Trucker.
Do you have more on this story? Click to WhatsApp us. Anonymity guaranteed.
