A truck driver died after losing control of his vehicle and it overturned on the road between Marble Hall and Elandskraal in Limpopo on Thursday 2 February 2023 at approximately 12:40.
His passenger was critically injured but he was allegedly whisked away by armed men from a car which was following behind.
Brig. Motlafela Mojapelo, police spokesperson for Limpopo, says members of Marble Hall police station rushed to the scene of the accident after a motorist who was driving behind the truck informed the police of the accident.
At the scene, it was found that the truck was loaded with boxes of illegal cigarettes. The truck driver and his passenger were stuck in the cab and the motorist tried to help.
Read also: Truck driver arrested at Skilpadshek border post for possession of illicit cigarettes worth R1.5m
While he was waiting at the scene for the police and emergency services, unknown suspects with a sedan motor vehicle allegedly stopped at the scene and threatened the motorist with a firearm.
The suspects then apparently forcibly removed the critically injured passenger from the cabin, loaded them into their vehicle and drove away. The driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police at the scene seized 300 boxes of illegal cigarettes. A case of culpable homicide and possession of illegal cigarettes has been registered.
The search for the suspects and critically injured passenger continues.
Anyone with more information can contact the police on Stop Crime at 08600 10111 or by using the MySAPS app.
