Under the veil of darkness, motorists are being stoned from off-ramps while rocks are placed on the N7 between Melkbosstrand and the Milnerton as criminals capitalize on loadshedding.
Police have cautioned motorists while concerned residents have spoken out following a recent spate of crime along the national road.
“I saw a few guys coming from Dunoon’s side, just opposite Richwood, and stoning a vehicle,” one motorist told News24 after witnessing an attack on the N7 in the early morning hours. “The guy or woman managed to get away, but the vehicle was really damaged. I have reported it, but it was so dark and I just picked up speed to avoid the same happening to me.”
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“If you have no other option but to drive on the N7, be very cautious. These criminals hide behind nearby bushes and really plan these attacks. They are taking advantage of loadshedding to carry out their criminal activities.” he added
Milnerton Police spokesperson, Captain Nopaya Madyibi, told TygerBurger that cases were reported and that law enforcement were addressing the problem before it escalated.
Meanwhile, Bothasig police also recently issued a warning to the community.
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Warrant Officer Jacques Mostert added that although robbery cases had not been localised in the precinct, the bulk of cases currently reported emanate from the areas in the vicinity of Richwood and the N7.
“According to analysis the area standing out is the N7 between Dunoon and Richwood. The modus operandi of robbers is that they target vehicles that stop on the N7.”
“Motorists stop to pick up staff who live in Dunoon, wait for other vehicles or people, and sometimes break down or run out of fuel, all of which makes them very vulnerable to being robbed,” he said.
“When spotting motorists stopping, the criminals will run across the N7, rob motorists, or even pedestrians, and then run back into Dunoon, making it very difficult to locate them.”
Mostert said that criminals seize opportunities to commit robberies when law enforcement agencies are not visible.
“Pedestrians on their way to work or back, crossing the N7 to and from Dunoon, are also targeted by robbers,” he added..
Mostert also confirmed that criminals had been putting stones on the N7 during loadshedding with the aim of damaging vehicles, trying to force them to stop to rob the occupants.
“An incident like this occurred during loadshedding, but luckily for the motorist Bothasig police members were patrolling the N7 at the time and could assist the motorist to change the tyre and move out of the area,” he said.
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