Motorists travelling the stretch of road between the BP garage and the Lebombo Border in Mpumalanga have been urged to exercise extreme caution following reports of ongoing criminal activity in the area.
A group reportedly known as “Amachallanger” is said to be operating along this route and is allegedly linked to a series of robberies, violent attacks and killings. According to the alert, these incidents have been occurring for some time, prompting renewed calls for heightened awareness among travellers using the Lebombo Border crossing.
The warning emphasises that the situation remains active and that drivers should treat the entire section with the utmost vigilance. Those who use the route regularly or are planning journeys through the area are being reminded that isolated stops increase risk.
Key safety recommendations issued in the alert include:
- Remaining fully vigilant at all times while on the road
- Avoiding stopping in any isolated or deserted spots along the route
- Travelling in groups or convoys wherever possible
- Reporting any suspicious activity or individuals immediately to the relevant authorities
The alert has been widely circulated among road users and local communities in Mpumalanga as a direct response to the reported pattern of crime. No further details on specific dates or exact number of incidents were included in the public warning, which focuses instead on practical steps travellers can take to protect themselves.
Officials and community leaders have not yet released an official statement confirming the scale of the problem, but the circulating safety notice stresses that personal safety must remain the priority for anyone passing through the Lebombo Border area.
Travellers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly, share their routes with others when possible, and treat the advisory with serious attention until the situation is resolved. Road users who have information about the reported activities are asked to contact law enforcement without delay.
This latest warning serves as a clear reminder of the need for caution on one of Mpumalanga’s key transport corridors linking South Africa to its northern neighbour. Motorists are advised to stay alert and prioritise safety at every stage of their journey through the region.
Fatal Motorcycle Collision on R74 Manor Highway
28 March 2026 – A fatal collision occurred on the R74 Manor Highway when a motorcycle and a light motor vehicle collided.
The driver of the motorcycle sustained fatal injuries in the impact. Emergency medical personnel declared the motorcyclist deceased at the scene.
Taurus Medical & Security Services responded to the accident alongside the Kwa Dukuza Fire Department, SAPS Kwa Dukuza, and other emergency services.
No further details on the driver or occupants of the light motor vehicle, the exact time of the collision, or contributing factors have been released at this stage.
The incident remains under investigation by the relevant authorities.
Three Farmers Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Premeditated Murder of Farm Dweller
Pretoria – The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, has sentenced three farmers to life imprisonment each after convicting them of the premeditated murder of Dumisani Phakathi, a farm dweller.
Jaco Wessels Kemp, 36, Louise Coetzee, 29, and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen, 38, received the maximum sentence. The court also declared all three unfit to possess firearms and ordered them to surrender every firearm, all ammunition, licences, authorisations and permits to the investigating officer.
The murder took place on 16 September 2023 at a chicken farm in Mamokgalieskraal. At about 16:00 that afternoon the three were holding a braai when they noticed Phakathi walking past the farm gate. He was on his way to collect water from a nearby furrow that community members regularly used as a water source.
The three approached Phakathi and assaulted him. They then dragged him into a storage facility on the farm, where the assault continued until he died from his injuries.
In the early hours of 17 September 2023, at approximately 02:00, police stopped Kemp and Coetzee during a routine stop-and-search operation on the R511 towards Brits. The pair were driving a bakkie loaded with black refuse bags. Officers noticed human legs protruding from under the bags. A search revealed the bloodied body of Phakathi, his head covered in plastic. Kemp and Coetzee were arrested at the scene.
Van der Westhuizen handed himself over to police on 19 September 2023 after investigators linked him to the offence.
All three accused pleaded not guilty and attempted to shift blame onto one another. State Prosecutor Advocate Lawrence More presented evidence from State witnesses that proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
During mitigation of sentence, the accused asked the court to depart from the prescribed minimum sentence. They cited the time already spent in custody since their arrest and the fact that they have children to support. Advocate More argued against any leniency, stating that the three had killed Phakathi for no reason. He described the attack as inhumane and cruel, noting that the perpetrators placed the body in rubbish bags in an attempt to dump it.
Advocate More also read victim impact statements into the record. The sister of the deceased stated that she no longer trusts white people because of the incident.
In delivering sentence, the judge found that the accused showed no remorse. He noted there was no apparent reason for the killing and concluded that it was racially motivated.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the life sentences and repeated its commitment to ensuring accountability for violent crimes, particularly those committed against vulnerable members of society.
- Safety Alert Issued for Lebombo Border Route in Mpumalanga as Reports of Violent Crime Escalate
- Minibus Taxi Industry Remains South Africa’s Primary Mode of Public Transport Amid Persistent Competition-Related Violence
- Knowing the Rules of the Road: Why South African Pedestrians Must Prioritise Safety
- Driver Escapes Suspected Hijacking Attempt Through High-Speed Reverse Manoeuvre on South African Road
- Fatal Motorcycle Collision on R74 Manor Highway
