A truck driver has fought and overpowered armed robbers who pointed a gun at him trying to rob him on N12 between Etwatwa and Springs off-ramp on Monday.

The area is notorious for crimes targeting motorists. Robbers terrorise motorists and truckers by throwing spikes on the road. When motorists stop to investigate, they get attacked and robbed of their possessions.

But on Monday, 28 February, they picked the wrong victim.

The armed robbers pointed a gun at a truck driver who stopped to pee on the N12 highway after the Springs off-ramp. But he put up a fight and won.

The trucker fought with one of the thugs over the gun and overpowered him. He quickly reached for his own gun under his seat and shot at the three robbers.

He managed to shoot one of the thugs in the neck and another in the foot. The third suspect fled the scene.

After the shooting, he called the police.

The police came and apprehended the two injured suspects who are now in hospital under police guard.

Springs police spokesman Captain Johannes Ramphora said the truck driver was travelling from Eswatini to OR Tambo Airport when he wash attacked.

“He stopped on the N12 highway after the Springs off-ramp to relieve himself and when he climbed back into the truck, three men approached him and two were armed. The one suspect pointed a firearm at the victim and they started to fight over it. The victim reached for his firearm and shot one suspect in the neck and another in the leg. The other suspect fled the scene,” he said.

Ramphora said the two wounded suspects have been hospitalised and would appear in court when they are medically fit to do so.

He said cops are looking for the third suspect.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact the CrimeStop number at 08600 10111.