"Government Is Failing": SA Angry After Road Spiking on the N4 Puts Motorists in Danger

• Crime correspondent Yusuf Abramjee warned motorists about active road spiking on the N4, shortly after the Brits Toll Plaza towards Rustenburg
• Criminals place sharp metal objects on the road to burst tyres, then ambush drivers who stop
• South Africans expressed fury online, questioning what SAPS is doing to stop the attacks

Motorists travelling on the N4 between Brits and Rustenburg are being urged to stay alert. Crime correspondent and anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee issued a public warning on 15 August 2026 about ongoing road spiking in the stretch shortly after the Brits Toll Plaza and before the Bapong Weighbridge.

Abramjee flagged that criminals are deliberately placing sharp metal objects across the road to puncture tyres. Once a vehicle stops, armed suspects emerge to rob passengers, hijack cars, or force victims into making mobile banking transfers.

How the attacks work

Road spiking in South Africa has become an increasingly coordinated threat on major highways. Gangs typically conceal spike strips, nails embedded in wood, or other sharp objects inside plastic bags or clothing to make them blend in with normal road debris. Attacks tend to happen at night and in low-visibility areas, often underneath highway bridges.

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Safety organisations and tracking firms report that incidents take place multiple times a week across major routes. Besides the N4, high-risk stretches include the N1 between Midrand and Carousel, the R80 Mabopane Freeway, and the N12 Golden Highway towards Potchefstroom.

Experts advise motorists not to stop if they suspect spikes on the road. Instead, drivers should reduce speed to around 40 km/h and continue to the nearest petrol station, toll plaza, or police station. Keeping a live location shared with family or a security contact is also strongly recommended.

Mzansi furious over N4 spiking reports

South Africans did not hold back in the comments section on the X page:

@McD_Motsaafela wrote:

"Zero police intelligence on such crimes. Low lives good for nothing criminals just do as they wish."

@TumeloTuksTlou warned:

"Motorists must be aware of spikings happening on the N17 between Springs and Leslie toll gate. N3 between Vosloorus and Grootvlei. Be careful also of fake cops operating in the area. Looks like the same group from the Kathorus area."

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@Pius1564308pius asked:

"Why is our government failing to stop this nonsense?"

@GeraldJacob1 directed frustration at authorities:

"So what is @SAPoliceService doing about this, or are your top brass waiting for Woolies bags with cash before they can do something about brazen crime in this country??"

See the full post below:

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Source: Briefly News