A truck driver was hijacked, repeatedly stabbed and held captive during a brazen cargo theft in KwaZulu-Natal, with two trailers carrying Boxer-branded pilchards worth approximately R1.5 million still missing.
According to information released by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the incident began at about 12.30am on Thursday, 16 July, when the driver stopped at a truck stop in Townhill, Pietermaritzburg.
The driver was allegedly confronted by about five suspects who forced him back into his Iveco S-Way truck and ordered him to continue driving.
When the truck later stopped in Cato Ridge, the driver attempted to escape but was attacked and stabbed several times. He was then tied up and forced into a black BMW SUV, believed to resemble a BMW X6.
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Join our WhatsApp channelThe suspects reportedly held the driver captive before abandoning him in Isipingo.
The truck had been towing two Afrit link trailers carrying 34 pallets of Boxer-branded pilchards valued at approximately R1.5 million. Although the truck and trailers were fitted with tracking devices, no tracker locations were available at the time.
The Iveco truck was later recovered on the N2 northbound near the Total Petroport. However, the two trailers remain missing.
“The two trailers, which have blue and black side sails displaying company branding, remain outstanding,” RUSA said.
The outstanding trailers are the Afrit Front Link Trailer, registration KSX637MP, and the Afrit Rear Link Trailer, registration KSV642MP.
“Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the trailers is requested to contact Reaction Unit South Africa on 086 123 4333,” said RUSA.
