Cops bust gang terrorising Bronkhorstspruit hitchhikers
While waiting for transport, a blue Ford Figo with four men stopped next to her and ordered her into the car at gunpoint.
Three men suspected of terrorising hitchhikers in Bronkhorstspruit recently have been arrested.
The men, aged between 32 and 40, allegedly picked the hitchhikers up, robbed them of cash, phones and other belongings then dropped them off in the veldt in the far east of Pretoria.
A woman was forced to get into the suspects’ car at gunpoint on August 19, according to police spokesperson Constable Munyadziwa Ramovha.
“The woman was dropped off by a taxi in Lanham Street. While waiting for transport, a blue Ford Figo with four men stopped next to her and ordered her at gunpoint to get into their car.
“The woman reported that the unknown man standing next to her was also forced to get into the vehicle,” Ramovha said.
“The suspects took her belongings and drove her to Ezemvelo where they dropped her off.”
On the same day around 07:20, the same suspects robbed a 27-year-old man hitchhiking to Pretoria at a four-way stop in Reimapark.
“The [second] complainant and another man, who was hitchhiking with him, got into the blue Ford Figo, which was already occupied by three males.
She said the three occupants robbed the second complainant of his “cellphone, wallet and jacket – all valued at R4 000”.
She said second complainant was dropped off in a veldt in Vaalbank.
Last Thursday, second complainant came to the police station to report that he had spotted the blue Ford Figo.
Police officers drove to the traffic lights at Masada Street, where hitchhikers were busy getting into the car.
The three men were arrested and the vehicle was searched.
A pellet gun, pocket knife and golf club were seized.
The suspects will appear in the Bronkhorstspruit magistrate’s court on September 6.
Ramovha warned commuters not to hitchhike.
“People have fallen victim to criminals while hitchhiking and some were even raped or murdered.
“We encourage people to use public transportation instead.”
She said visible policing commander Lieutenant Colonel Sibonile Mlaba applauded sergeants Naledzani Tshikumbu and Dintweng Mafuko for the arrests.
The Bronkhorstspruit SAPS asked anyone who has information on crime in the precinct to contact them on 013 932 9222 or 013 932 9246.
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