Swift response from the police led to the arrest of a suspect believed to be involved in a robbery and hijacking on the N4 highway between eMalahleni and Middelburg on Thursday, March 10.

The suspect was arrested just a few hours after he allegedly attempted to rob three citizens from Mozambique and shot one of them in the foot.

Captain Eddie Hall, police spokesperson in eMalahleni, said the suspect was arrested while he was busy washing bloodstains off his Toyota Avanza.

Police are still looking for second suspect who was also allegedly involved in the attempted murder and armed robbery.

Hall said the incident transpired around 07:30 when Immanuel Marrengula, Maria Izak and Paul Marrengule were hitchhiking on the N4 towards Nelspruit.

“A white Toyota Avanza with two occupants stopped and gave the victims a ride from eMalahleni towards Middelburg. The suspects suddenly stopped, pointed a gun at the victims and demanded their cash, cell phones and other property,” Hall said.

Things took turn for the worst when the victims refused to cave to the robbers’ demands. According to police, the victims tried to disarm the suspect and in the scuffle, Marrengula was shot in the foot.

The victims managed to escape out of the vehicle and ran away. A passer-by assisted the three traumatised foreigners.

Police are investigating the possibility that the suspect they arrested, is also involved in other robberies in the eMalahleni area.

The man appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Friday, March 11 where the case was postponed for further investigation.