WATCH: Mpumalanga SAPS admin clerk killed by robbers posing as hitchhikers
A man working for the provincial police as an admin clerk was shot and killed in his vehicle on the R40 near Barberton by two suspects he had given a lift.
A 36-year-old man who was an admin clerk at the provincial police office in Mbombela was shot and killed this afternoon, October 26, along the R40 to Barberton, near the Kaapsehoop turn-off.
A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said the man had been in the vehicle with two of his colleagues and was about to leave Mbombela for Barberton when they picked up two men needing a lift near Westend Shopping Centre.
He said they were nearing the Kaapsehoop turn-off when the two suspects asked to be let out.
It is reported that as the man slowed the vehicle, one of his colleagues saw one of the suspects pull out a firearm. The colleague in the front managed to jump out of the car to avoid being shot, however, the admin clerk was shot in the upper body and died.
Also read: WATCH: Young woman from Lydenburg fatally wounded during robbery
The second colleague, who was seated in the back with the two suspects, was reportedly not harmed in the incident.
The colleague who managed to jump out sustained minor injuries.
Mdhluli said the suspects allegedly robbed the three colleagues of some of their personal belongings, including a cellphone.
Also read: Community members claim SDM employee was stealing a JoJo tank
When the man who had jumped out of the car pulled out his firearm and fired a shot at the two, they fled the scene, reportedly on foot.
He said a case of murder and robbery has been opened.
