Cape Town, February 18, 2026 – Motorists on the N2 inbound near Mew Way in Khayelitsha experienced a tense standoff earlier today when armed suspects emerged and targeted vehicles in what authorities described as an attempted hijacking or robbery. The incident, which unfolded around midday, brought traffic to a halt and prompted a swift response from local services.
According to reports, two to three men dressed in black clothing hid in nearby bushes before stepping onto the highway. They were observed pointing firearms, possibly including rifles, at passing drivers in an effort to force vehicles to stop. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the suspects fired several rounds during the confrontation, heightening the panic among commuters. The event occurred on the busy inbound lane, a key route connecting Khayelitsha to central Cape Town, leading to immediate backups as drivers halted or maneuvered to avoid the threat.
Traffic monitoring services first alerted the public to the disruption shortly after 14:00 SAST, sharing images of the scene showing stationary vehicles and suspects on foot along the highway. The photos depicted a chaotic environment with law enforcement and emergency personnel arriving to secure the area. No injuries to motorists or suspects were reported in the available updates, and there is no confirmation of any vehicles being successfully hijacked during the ordeal.
The situation was resolved relatively quickly, with authorities clearing the scene by approximately 14:55 SAST. Traffic resumed normal flow shortly thereafter, though delays lingered for some time due to the backlog. In response to the incident, the City of Cape Town has announced increased patrols along the N2 to enhance security and prevent similar occurrences. Investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been publicly confirmed as of this reporting.
This event highlights ongoing concerns about safety on the N2, a corridor that has seen sporadic reports of criminal activity in recent years. Authorities urge drivers to remain vigilant, report suspicious behavior immediately, and avoid stopping in isolated sections if possible. Further details may emerge as the probe continues.
Foiled Robbery Attempt at Dikwena Sasol Garage in Limpopo
In a dramatic turn of events, an attempted robbery at the Dikwena Sasol Garage in Limpopo Province, South Africa, was thwarted when security personnel opened fire on the intruders, forcing them to flee empty-handed. The incident occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026, highlighting the ongoing challenges of crime at fuel stations in the region.
According to reports, six armed men entered the premises through the main gate during the late hours, intending to carry out a heist. The garage, located in an area associated with nearby communities such as Seshego and Moletjie, is a typical Sasol-branded fuel station providing services to local motorists and residents. Surveillance footage captured the sequence, showing the suspects approaching the entrance under cover of darkness. Moments later, rapid gunfire erupted from within the premises, with muzzle flashes visible as shots were fired in quick succession toward the intruders.
The security guards responded swiftly, discharging their firearms to repel the attackers and regain control of the situation. The robbers, caught off guard by the immediate and forceful counteraction, scattered and retreated through the same gate they had entered, abandoning their plan without obtaining any cash or valuables from the site. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence indicate that the shots served as a deterrent, with the suspects fleeing in panic. One observer noted in online discussions that the final fleeing individual appeared to be wearing attire resembling a Sasol uniform, raising questions about possible disguises used by the perpetrators, though this detail remains unconfirmed by official sources.
No injuries were officially reported among the garage staff or security team, and details on whether any of the suspects were hit by the gunfire have not been disclosed. Local police were alerted to the incident, but the robbers escaped before authorities arrived on the scene. Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the six individuals involved, with law enforcement reviewing CCTV footage and gathering statements from those present. The event has sparked community reactions, with some praising the shooter’s quick response while others called for improved training, as comments suggested the shots, though effective in scaring off the group, may not have been precisely aimed.
This failed robbery adds to a pattern of similar crimes targeting fuel stations across South Africa, particularly in Limpopo, where stations like Sasol garages are vulnerable due to their 24-hour operations and cash handling. Authorities have emphasized the role of vigilant security measures in preventing such incidents from escalating, and no further attempts have been reported at the Dikwena location since the event. The South African Police Service has not released additional updates on the case as of February 18, 2026, but the community remains on alert.
Cash-in-Transit Robbery Reported on Khoza Street in Atteridgeville
Pretoria, South Africa – February 18, 2026 – A cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery took place on Khoza Street in Atteridgeville, a township west of Pretoria, on Wednesday afternoon. The incident was reported by social activist and crime reporter Yusuf Abramjee via a post on X at approximately 16:10 GMT.
A photograph from the scene depicts a vehicle engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Several individuals are visible standing at a safe distance along the roadside, observing the burning wreckage. The image also shows a quiet street lined with fences, trees, and a signpost, with a dark SUV partially in the frame in the foreground.
No details have been released regarding the number of suspects involved, the amount of cash stolen, or any injuries to security personnel or bystanders. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the robbery.
This event adds to a series of CIT heists in South Africa, though specific connections to other incidents remain unconfirmed. Investigations are expected to be underway by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
- Armed Suspects Disrupt Traffic in Attempted Hijacking on Cape Town’s N2 Highway
- Foiled Robbery Attempt at Dikwena Sasol Garage in Limpopo
- Cash-in-Transit Robbery Reported on Khoza Street in Atteridgeville
- Tragic Two-Vehicle Collision Shuts Down N1 at Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo
- Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle at Tzaneen Police Station
Tragic Two-Vehicle Collision Shuts Down N1 at Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo
Polokwane, Limpopo – February 18, 2026 – A devastating two-vehicle crash has led to the complete closure of the N1 highway at the Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo, halting traffic in both directions and causing significant disruptions for commuters and freight transporters alike. Emergency services, medical personnel, and officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) are actively on the scene, attending to the aftermath of what authorities have described as a horrific incident.
The collision occurred earlier today on this critical stretch of the N1, a major national route that serves as the backbone for transportation in northern South Africa. Details on the exact cause of the crash remain under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest high speeds or adverse road conditions may have played a role. No confirmed information on casualties has been released at this time, though witnesses reported seeing extensive vehicle damage at the site. The Capricorn Toll Plaza, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Polokwane, is a key checkpoint on the highway, managed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) as part of the N1’s tolled network.
The N1 highway, often referred to as the Great North Road, is one of South Africa’s busiest arterial routes, stretching over 1,900 kilometers from Cape Town in the south to the Beit Bridge border post with Zimbabwe in the north. In Limpopo province, it traverses diverse terrain, from the flat savannas around Polokwane to the rugged foothills of the Soutpansberg Mountains near Makhado (formerly Louis Trichardt). This particular section near the Capricorn Toll Plaza handles an average daily traffic volume of over 20,000 vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks carrying goods from mining operations in the Bushveld Complex and agricultural produce from Limpopo’s fertile farmlands. The province itself is known for its rich mineral resources, such as platinum and chrome, and its subtropical climate, which supports crops like citrus, avocados, and macadamia nuts. However, the highway’s high usage also makes it prone to accidents, with SANRAL reporting over 500 incidents in Limpopo alone in the past year, often exacerbated by factors like driver fatigue, overloading, and occasional heavy rainfall that can lead to slippery conditions.
The closure has forced authorities to redirect traffic onto alternative routes to minimize delays. For drivers heading south from Makhado toward Polokwane, the recommended detour is to turn left onto the R36 at Morebeng (formerly Soekmekaar), a small rural settlement known for its historical railway links and surrounding maize farms, before joining the R81 to reach Polokwane. Conversely, those traveling north from Polokwane should take the R81 from the Mall of the North – a prominent shopping center in the provincial capital that serves as a landmark for local navigation – and proceed through Ga-Dikgale, a village area with strong cultural ties to the Northern Sotho people, before connecting to the R36 at Morebeng and rejoining the N1 beyond the toll plaza.
These detour options, while viable, add approximately 30-45 minutes to journey times and involve secondary roads that may not accommodate heavy vehicles as efficiently as the N1’s dual carriageway. The R81 and R36 are provincial roads maintained by the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, and they wind through communities where livestock crossings and pedestrian activity are common, necessitating extra caution from motorists.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo urged drivers to remain patient and adhere to traffic directives. “We are working diligently to clear the scene and restore normal flow, but safety is our top priority,” he stated. The incident comes amid heightened road safety awareness in Limpopo, following recent operations at the Capricorn Toll Gate aimed at enforcing speed limits, seatbelt usage, and vehicle compliance, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the province’s road fatality rate, which stood at over 1,200 deaths in 2025 according to national statistics.
Motorists are advised to stay updated via local radio stations, SANRAL’s traffic app, or official social media channels for real-time developments. The N1’s closure underscores the vulnerabilities of South Africa’s road infrastructure in remote provinces like Limpopo, where economic growth relies heavily on efficient transport links. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with a full report expected from authorities in the coming days. Travelers planning routes through the area should consider delaying non-essential trips until the highway reopens.
