NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has pleaded with members of the public to avoid hitchhiking. The plea by the General comes in a wake of a shocking incident in which two alleged robbers were fatally shot whilst reportedly trying to rob a man this morning, Thursday 05 May 2022 near N4 Road in Nelspruit.

According to the report, two alleged suspects were driving in a silver grey VW Polo towards the direction of Malelane whereby they offered a lift to a man who was hitchhiking in Valencia outside Nelspruit CBD. Apparently along the way, they diverted to Croc Valley farm where one of them reportedly drew a knife in an attempt to rob the man who was given a lift. Further reports indicate that the man also drew out his firearm and allegedly shot both men. One died at the scene meanwhile the other died few meters away from the scene whilst he was being driven to hospital. The two are yet to be identified.

Police were informed about the incident and a case of robbery with another weapon was opened with two counts of inquest. The firearm used has since been confiscated as well as the knife and the vehicle. The items will form part of the investigation.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the VW Polo may be linked to other reported incidents of armed robberies where hitchhikers were robbed at various hiking spots around Nelspruit.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further urged people to refrain from asking for lifts but rather use other available safe mode of transport to reach their destinations with minimum risk.

Source: South African Police Service