Police in Hazyview have launched an investigation into an attempted robbery following the death of a man who allegedly tried to attack a truck driver with an axe.

The incident occurred on April 18 at the De Rust crossing along the R40 road. According to a sworn affidavit by the 32-year-old truck driver, the attacker emerged from nearby bushes as the truck turned toward White River.

“As I was turning, I saw someone running from the bushes like he was crossing the road, so I slowed down,” the driver stated. He said the suspect suddenly smashed the passenger window and clung to the truck’s side mirror, demanding cash and a cellphone while wielding an axe.

Fearing for his life, the driver sped up and swerved the truck to shake off the attacker. “I heard a loud noise from the back trailers but kept driving,” he explained.

After finding a safe spot to turn around, the driver returned to the scene and discovered the suspect lying lifeless on the road with the axe beside him. He immediately called the police.

Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, spokesperson for the provincial police, confirmed that paramedics declared the man dead at the scene. “We are investigating a case of attempted armed robbery as well as another case to determine the exact cause of the suspect’s death,” Mdhluli said.

The suspect’s identity remains unknown and will be part of the ongoing investigation. The axe used in the attempted robbery was seized by authorities as evidence.