They have a passion for wildlife and photography, but never expected that their stint as volunteers in South Africa would end up in an armed robbery on June 30.

Three women, one from the Netherlands, one from Britain, and another from the USA, were in the country as volunteers, doing an internship at African Impact, a wildlife NGO near the Kruger Park where they were being trained in wildlife research and photography.

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According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, a provincial police spokesperson, the women were apparently on their way to visit the Kruger National Park when they were hijacked near White River. They were overpowered by three masked, armed suspects who took their car and personal belongings. This included expensive camera equipment, which they used during the wildlife course. During the robbery numerous shots were fired at the women.

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John Meintjes of ACS Security said his guards at Timrite Sawmills on the Yaverland Road were approached by the victims at about 19:00.

“They were hysterical and told my staff they had been robbed by three gunmen and had been shot at. One was wounded in the upper leg and another sustained minor injuries, possibly caused by the vehicle’s glass when the robbers shot at the car. The third victim was unhurt.”
The security staff administered first aid on the victims while waiting for an ambulance.

It is unclear exactly where they were hijacked, as they could not identify the spot.

It is, however, suspected that they had been robbed on the White River/Numbi road near Peebles, while on their way to Numbi Gate. They would have left for their home countries at the end of July. African Impact confirmed that the incident had happened, but declined to give any further comment.

*This story has been amended. The names of the victims have been removed.