Two people were shot and killed in an armed robbery on the N1 North, just after the Carousel Toll Plaza, on Friday night when a minibus driver stopped to relieve himself on the side of the road.

According to an article published by Pretoria Rekord, police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says it is reported that a group of people were driving in a minibus on Friday at about 22:50.

“The driver voluntarily stopped the vehicle after the toll plaza to relieve himself and that is when four unknown men came out of the bushes and attacked them.”

Nevhuhulwi says the victims were robbed of their money, and shots were fired by the robbers, striking two of the victims, who were certified dead on the scene.

“The police in Hammanskraal are investigating a case of murder and armed robbery.

No one has been arrested.

“The public is advised to be vigilant at all times when using the roads and to always drive [to] filing stations to rest or relieve themselves.”

Earlier reports on social media suggested that the robbery was related to a spiking attack, but Nevhuhulwi denied these claims, confirming that the driver stopped voluntarily to relieve himself before the armed robbery occurred.

The police request anyone with information that can assist with the investigation to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or report anonymous tip-offs on the MySaps App, which can be downloaded on any smartphone.

Keep these tips in mind when travelling at night:

• Make sure your mobile phone is charged before you hit the road.
• Share your location with loved ones, especially when travelling alone.
• Get into the habit of looking ahead in the road to spot any threats, foreign objects or people on or along the road in time.
• Save the contact numbers of emergency services, neighbourhood watch or your security company on your phone.