| 2024/12/01 |
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Media Statement NELSPRUIT – Two alleged robbers were fatally shot during a hitchhiking drama incident as they reportedly robbed a man (44) they gave a lift to. This incident occurred in Middleburg before midnight, Saturday 30 November 2024 around 23:15. According to information, the alleged robbers pretended to be assisting the hitchhiker by giving him a lift as they were driving a Hyundai Tucson SUV, whereas they intended to rob him. Unknowingly that the hitchhiker was armed, the alleged suspects, armed with a knife, refused to drop him off at his destination. They instead held him hostage and robbed him of his cell phone and other personal belongings. One of the men is said to have robbed the victim of his bank card and demanded for the PIN from the victim. Thereafter, it is said that the victim was left inside the vehicle with the other four whilst the other suspect walked to a nearby ATM within the premises of a certain filling station, to withdraw some cash. The message was clearly stated to the victim that, he should provide the correct PIN if he values his live. Shortly after one suspect left, the hitchhiker is said to have pulled out a firearm then fatally shot the driver and a passenger. The other two suspects then ran for their lives. The hitchhiker immediately went to the nearby filling station to request for assistance and Police were summoned whilst the security officers attended the matter. Upon arrival of the Police, one suspect was arrested at the scene, two lifeless bodies of the alleged robbers were also found and one of the two suspects that ran away somehow returned to the scene hence he was apprehended. When preliminary investigations were conducted, it emanated that the suspect (43) that returned to the scene, is a Zimbabwean national who is also the owner of the vehicle involved. The man was charged for robbery and a manhunt has been sanctioned for the other two suspects. The arrested suspect is expected to appear at the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court soon. An investigation into the fatal shooting incident is also underway. Preliminary investigation by the Police indicates that the firearm that was confiscated as part of the investigation, belongs to the man that was hitchhiking. Meanwhile the investigators are working in collaboration with officials from the Department of Home Affairs will be brought on board to ascertain the status of the arrested Zimbabwean national. The two deceased persons are yet to be identified.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has spoken strongly against the idea of hitchhiking as it is dangerous for both motorists and those asking for lifts. “Though people are free to make use of any mode of transport of their choice however we have noticed a trend of crime being committed either when motorists give lifts to strangers or when hitchhikers get lifts from strangers. We therefore encourage members of the public to prioritise their lives instead of risking their lives in the name of saving cash or making extra cash for fuel and tall gates. Our business is people’s safety hence we urge our people to assist us in order to achieve that goal, ” said the General.
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