Driver pays a heavy price for picking up hitchhiker on N12 Etwatwa off-ramp
Crime, N12, Etwatwa off-ramp, murder, firearm, hitchhikers, Siphokazi Zama.
A man was shot to death and two women raped after stopping to pick up a hitchhiker on the N12 Etwatwa off-ramp last Thursday evening.
Springs Police spokesperson Capt Johannes Ramphora says the driver was driving from Johannesburg on his way to Mpumalanga when he picked up two men and two women who were hitchhiking on Snake Road in Benoni.
As the group approached the N12 Etwatwa off-ramp, they saw a single man also hitchhiking, looking for a lift to Delmas.
The group stopped at the off-ramp and as they were talking to the man, he suddenly pulled out a gun.
Five more men, also with firearms emerged from the veld behind the man and together, the suspects ordered everyone to get out of the car and move into the veld with them.
The passengers were searched and their cellphones and money were stolen and the two female passengers were raped.
Also see: Man held at gunpoint during hijacking
The suspects then asked the driver for money and when he responded by saying he didn’t have any, the suspects allegedly told him they were going to make an example of him, tied his hands behind his back and shot him in the back of the neck.
After the rape, shooting and armed robbery, the suspects fled leaving the victims and car behind.
A police van that was patrolling the area noticed the Toyota Avanza that had hazards on but no occupants and went to investigate.
Upon looking around, two of the male passengers emerged from the veld and explained to the police what had happened.
Police searched the area but found no sign of the suspects.
Paramedics were called to the scene where they declared the driver dead and transported the women to hospital.
A case of murder, rape and armed robbery has been opened.
Ramphora once again urged the community not to hitchhike or stop for anybody.
“That off-ramp is a high risk area and we are cautioning people to be careful and leave as soon as possible.”
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