Bus carrying spa guests hijacked

The incident took place on Friday evening while guests at Mangwanani Spa in Elandsfontein, Johannesburg, were being transported by bus to Montecasino at about 11.30pm, Rekord Centurionreported.

Mangwanani Spas CEO Erin Limbert said three men armed with R4 rifles forced their way through the passenger door shortly after the bus left the resort’s premises.

“Security vehicles that usually escort our buses to the R511 did not accompany the bus, and it was on its own,” said Limbert.

The hijackers then allegedly forced the bus driver and the passengers to the back of the bus and drove to an informal settlement outside Atteridgeville. They then reportedly stopped in an open field and proceeded to assault the passengers before robbing them.

Cellphones, money, jewellery, tablets, cameras and handbags were allegedly stolen by the assailants, who reportedly fired two shots into the air as they fled. No serious injuries were reported.

The incident was then reported at the Douglasdale Police Station and was later transferred to Atteridgeville Police Station, where investigations are ongoing.

In a separate incident, one person died after youngsters allegedly hijacked a bus at the Avalon Cemetery in Johannesburg during a funeral in January.

The hijacked bus collided with a bakkie, injuring several others. The youngsters, who had been attending a funeral of a friend, allegedly slapped the bus driver before taking off in the bus.

– Caxton News Service