South Africa’s national roads agency is strengthening surveillance and security along sections of the N12 freeway after multiple reports of vehicles being targeted by rocks, with new monitoring systems expected to be fully operational within two months.
Road users have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as authorities work alongside law enforcement to improve safety on one of Gauteng’s busiest transport corridors.
Strengthened Surveillance Planned Across High-Risk Sections
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has confirmed that a series of security upgrades is underway following repeated reports of rocks being thrown at vehicles travelling along the eastbound N12 freeway.
According to Sanral, Routine Road Maintenance teams have recorded several incidents in recent weeks, prompting the agency to increase protection measures on vulnerable sections of the route.
The organisation’s existing Freeway Management System cameras, originally designed to monitor traffic flow and road incidents, are being supplemented with additional technologies. These include thermal imaging cameras, improved lighting, reinforced protection for roadside infrastructure and enhanced coordination with law enforcement agencies to enable faster emergency responses.
Sanral media relations manager Lwando Mahlasela said vandalism targeting monitoring infrastructure has also become a concern, making system redundancy an important part of the upgrade programme. The agency expects the new security measures to be completed within the next two months.
Although no single location has been officially identified as a hotspot, Sanral said maintenance teams continue to patrol the route regularly and immediately report suspicious behaviour.
Motorists Call For Greater Protection After Attacks
Public concern intensified after a video circulated on social media on 11 July showing a vehicle with its windscreen shattered while travelling on the N12 between the Gillooly’s (George Bizos) Interchange and the Germiston off-ramp.
A day later, Free State resident Johann Beneke said he experienced a similar attack while driving through the same corridor.
Beneke said there had been no warning before a rock struck his vehicle, causing extensive damage to the windscreen, right front door window and rear side window. Flying glass briefly impaired his vision, but he managed to keep control of the vehicle and drive away from the area.
Travelling with a colleague and three dogs, Beneke said none of the occupants were injured despite the severity of the impact. However, the vehicle sustained significant damage.
He believes the object may have been thrown from one of the pedestrian or crossover bridges, although he could not determine exactly where it originated.
Because he was unfamiliar with the area and wanted to leave as quickly as possible, Beneke did not immediately open a police case. He nevertheless urged authorities to increase patrols on the freeway and impose tougher penalties on those responsible for similar attacks.
Rock-throwing incidents have periodically been reported on South African highways over the years, often raising concerns about driver safety and the risks posed by objects thrown from bridges or roadside embankments. Such attacks can lead to serious crashes, particularly at high speeds.
Sanral has encouraged motorists to report suspicious activity to the nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station or contact the relevant provincial Sanral office. In Gauteng, incidents can be reported directly to the agency’s provincial office to assist authorities in responding more rapidly and improving road safety.
Source: The South African, Sanral