Police say illegal miners behind Tuesday morning's M1 North roadside robberies
A group of gun-wielding suspected criminals capitalised on the morning gridlock on Tuesday, and robbed motorists at gunpoint along the M2 offramp.
Motorists will have to dig deeper as toll fee increases are on the cards. Picture: Pexels
JOHANNESBURG – Gauteng police said that illegal miners were behind the brazen robberies on the M1 North near the Crown Interchange.
A group of gun-wielding suspected criminals capitalised on the morning gridlock on Tuesday, and robbed motorists at gunpoint along the M2 offramp.
Police said the group fled to a nearby illegal mining shaft when law enforcement arrived at the scene of the crime.
A distressed motorist said the route was chaotic, describing the scene as a mess.
READ: ‘Please send emergency vehicles,’ pleads Joburg driver as armed group robs motorists on M1 North
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers were monitoring the situation.
"We are seeing that the suspects and criminals are moving to the M1...We know that the M1 does get gridlocked with people coming in from the into and moving into Sandton…It is an area of concern and seeing as it has been brought to our attention, officers will definitely look into it."
The muggings come as Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi boldly announced that the province was winning the war against illegal mining.
Speaking at the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday, Lesufi said law enforcement had destabilised illicit mining in the various regions of the province.
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