Community rallies around tourists hijacked near KNP gate

A 31-year-old resident from the Comoro Islands (volcanic islands situated off the southeastern coast of Africa) had to make a critical decision after she and her husband were attacked on the road between Hazyview and the Phabeni Gate of the Kruger National Park (KNP).

According to Linda Grimbeek, the COO of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism, the French couple, whose names are known to Lowvelder but are withheld on request, were on Monday only a few kilometres from Phabeni Gate when three men appeared from some thickets and forced them to stop.

Grimbeek says the three held the couple at gunpoint, got in with them and forced them to drive on.

Moments after they started driving, the woman reportedly told her husband in French that they should jump out of the car. Grimbeek explains the woman pulled up the handbrake, but only her husband managed to get out in time.

One of the hijackers jumped into the driver seat and drove off. When the vehicle started speeding up, the woman also managed to jump out.

Taken to hospital

A member of the community took the couple to the nearby Matikwana Hospital in Mkhuhlu for treatment.

According to Walter Shongwe, the manager of Africa Safe EMS, they were called out to the hospital later that afternoon and transferred the injured couple to Mediclinic Nelspruit.

Shongwe says the woman had sustained several abrasions and had a hematoma on the back of her head.

After treatment at Mediclinic, the man and woman were discharged, says hospital spokesperson Liza Pillay.

‘Couple will visit SA again’

Grimbeek compliments the way the Lowveld community had assisted and treated the couple.

“They said they will complete their tour of South Africa and will without doubt return to the country for yet another visit,” she adds.

Grimbeek says security patrols have been increased on the road to ensure the safety of motorists.

The couple declined to comment on the incident.