Teeth met skin when a man fought back yesterday, refusing to be intimidated by a gunman near Belfast in Mpumalanga. He bit his attacker’s hand, who in turn bit his potential victim’s ear.

Belfast police have the job of investigating this gnashing crime, which took place on the N4 in Dalmanutha, Mpumalanga, at about 04:45.

According to SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, two men, driving a vehicle with blue lights, stopped two victims, both Mozambiquan nationals, travelling along the N4.

The men are believed to have illegally used blue lights to impersonate law enforcement officers.

Mohlala says one of the attackers instructed the victims to drive to the weighbridge, while the other man approached the passenger’s window, where the driver’s son was sitting, brandishing a firearm and taking his passport.

However, instead of meekly obeying the gunman, the passenger bit the hand holding the gun, disarming him in the process. In retaliation, the would-be robber bit the passenger’s ear, before both attackers fled the scene, leaving the firearm behind.

The incident was reported to the Belfast police, and the firearm was handed over.

No arrests have yet been made.

Members of the public with information about the men’s whereabouts are urged to contact the authorities by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by providing information via the MySAPS App.