Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State

ROADSIDE - The police arrested two suspects on the N3 near the Roadside policing precinct following a road blockage by a number of trucks, which were left unattended with no keys.

On Monday, 2 June 2025 at approximately 06:30, the police received a call from N3TC that the N3 road was blocked both northbound and southbound by more than 15 trucks.

It was discovered during preliminary investigation that a group of people stopped the trucks and removed the keys from the foreign drivers. They alleged that the group was accusing them of taking their jobs. The five foreign national drivers alleged that their cellphones were taken in the process. The two suspects aged 52 and 68 were arrested on the scene for common robbery.

They are charged and are expected to appear before the Vrede Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, facing charges of tampering with infrastructure and common robbery.

The road was opened for traffic after four hours following a joint operation with other law enforcers, private security and road management services.

Ends

Enquiries:
Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring
082 455 6176

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAPoliceService
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sapoliceservice_za/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPoliceService
Website: www.saps.gov.za