Pta mum, kids in hijacking attempt outside Kruger National Park
While driving slowly over a speedbump, two armed men started shooting at their car. Police say about 12 shots were fired.
A Pretoria mother and her two children narrowly escaped death when two armed men opened fire on their Hyundai in an attempt to hijack it just outside the Kruger National Park.
The incident happened on Monday, January 3, at around 12:45 near a taxi rank at Mganduzweni Trust.
Melani de Beer (39) said while she managed to get away, her 14-year-old daughter was shot in the attack.
De Beer grabbed the attention of South Africans when she shared their traumatic experience in a bone-chilling Facebook post.
She was driving with her two children along the R538 in Mpumalanga after camping at Pretoriuskop. The family had just left the Kruger National Park through the Numbi gate.
De Beer said she was driving slowly over a speedbump with her car and trailer loaded when the attackers tried to hijack her.
“Police say they fired about 12 shots. I drove off, trailer and all.”
She realised when she stopped a few kilometres away that there were six bullet holes on the tyres, window, seat, bonnet and side of the car.
“Unfortunately, my daughter was shot in two places in her leg.”
The girl was set to go to the operating theatre again on Friday.
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De Beer posted on social media on Wednesday that, unfortunately, the girl will not be discharged yet due to a wound that caused an infection.
Mpumalanga police have since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said police at Masoyi near White River are searching for the suspects following the attempted hijacking.
He confirmed the incident, saying that a member of the public helped her after the attack.
South African National Parks (SANParks) on Wednesday sent a message of comfort to the family.
“This regrettable incident involves a family that brought much-needed tourism revenue to the Mpumalanga province,” said acting SANParks CEO Dumisani Dlamini.
He advised guests to be extra vigilant when travelling through crime hotspots outside the national parks as the risk of opportunistic crime was higher in such areas.
“We have communicated with our colleagues in the provincial security cluster to secure all routes leading to the Kruger through regular patrols and visible policing,” said Dlamini.
“We urge responsible community members to be active in protecting tourists visiting the province as tourism is key to boosting rural economic activity. We wish the family well and a speedy recovery to their daughter.”
De Beer has since thanked people for their support, prayers and messages.
Anyone with information on the perpetrators is urged to contact Detective Warrant Officer David Hlatswayo at 072 233 7530.
Alternatively, members of the public can call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
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