Durban, South Africa – A Zambian truck driver endured a horrific ordeal in the early hours of Monday morning when he was robbed and sexually assaulted while sleeping in his vehicle in Bayhead, Durban. The shocking incident has sparked outrage and raised fresh concerns about the safety of truck drivers operating in South Africa.
According to reports, the driver was resting in his truck at approximately 3:00 AM when four armed men forcibly entered the vehicle. The assailants stole his valuables, including cash and personal belongings, before subjecting him to a brutal attack. The assailants sodomized the driver, leaving him with severe injuries, including a bleeding anus, before fleeing the scene.
Emergency services were alerted, and the traumatized driver was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received urgent medical attention. His condition remains undisclosed, but sources indicate he is deeply shaken by the assault.
The incident has drawn attention to the growing vulnerability of truck drivers in South Africa, particularly foreign nationals who often work long hours and rest in isolated areas. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched an investigation, with officers combing the area for evidence and witnesses. No arrests have been made at this stage, but authorities have assured the public that they are treating the case with urgency.
Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (Loddca) is highlighting safety concerns for drivers, and this incident underscores a broader regional issue of violence targeting those in the transport industry. Local trucking unions in South Africa have condemned the attack, calling for increased security measures, including designated safe rest stops and enhanced police patrols in high-risk areas.
“This is an outrageous violation of a worker just trying to earn a living,” said a spokesperson for a Durban-based trucking association. “We cannot allow our drivers to live in fear of such barbaric acts.”
The attack has also reignited debates about crime rates in South Africa, with many citizens expressing frustration over the government’s perceived inability to curb violent incidents. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of sympathy for the victim and demands for justice.
As the investigation unfolds, the trucking community and the public await answers, hoping this gruesome crime will prompt meaningful action to protect those who keep the region’s supply chains moving.
