While performing routine patrols after midnight on Monday, members of the Bayview SAPS who noticed that the driver of a petroleum tanker was acting suspicious, foiled an alleged hijacking when the driver jumped off the truck while it was travelling uphill on Higginson Highway at the Bayview off-ramp.
After the driver fled from the moving truck, carrying 50 000 litres of diesel valued at R1 million, police officers flashed their blue lights and requested the vehicle to stop. The members had to ensure that whilst the truck was jack-knifing that no one got injured.
The communications officer of the Bayview SAPS, Warrant Officer Collin Chetty, said the truck was destined for Newcastle to deliver the diesel and the driver was hijacked in the Pinetown area during this time. “The owner noticed that the truck was off course and alerted the tracking company, who picked up a signal in Mobeni, which was way off its route. At Mobeni the tracking company lost signal and by this time, the Bayview members alerted radio control and the information was shared to the tracking company,” said W/O Chetty. No arrests were made as the driver escaped.
W/O Chetty added that the quick actions of the police officers ensured the safety of all in the area. “The jack-knifed truck filled with diesel, with no driver operating it, could have caused great harm and destruction. We commend the police officers involved in their quick response to ensure the safety of all,” said W/O Chetty.
