By Motshwari Mofokeng
KwaZulu-Natal authorities are searching for two stolen trailers loaded with Boxer-branded pilchards worth an estimated R1.5 million after a truck driver was hijacked, stabbed and held captive during a terrifying ordeal in the early hours of Thursday.
According to reports, the driver had stopped at a truck stop in Townhill, Pietermaritzburg, at about 12:30am when he was confronted by five armed suspects.
The attackers forced him back into his Iveco S-Way truck and ordered him to continue driving.
When the vehicle reached Cato Ridge, the driver attempted to escape but was overpowered and stabbed multiple times. He was tied up, placed into a black BMW SUV believed to resemble a BMW X6, and held captive before being abandoned in Isipingo.
The truck was later recovered on the N2 northbound near the Total Petroport. However, the two Afrit link trailers carrying 34 pallets of Boxer-branded pilchards remain missing. The trailers, bearing registrations KSX637MP and KSV642MP, have blue and black side sails displaying company branding.Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) has appealed to the public for information that could assist in locating the trailers.
Anyone with information is urged to contact RUSA on 086 123 4333. Police investigations are continuing.
