SAPS and SACCW of eMalahleni have been sending out numerous warnings every week to not pick up hitchhikers or to be a hitchhiker, but it seems as if the warnings are falling on deaf ears.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, May 1, a white VW Polo stopped at the N12/N4 split to either pick up or drop off a hitchhiker.

According to eyewitnesses, as the vehicle stopped, a Toyota Avanza with no number plates, pulled up next to it, and an unknown number of armed males allegedly jumped out of the Avanza in an attempt to hijack the VW Polo.

In a panic, the driver of the VW allegedly made a U-turn into the oncoming traffic on the highway and ended up having a head-on collision with a Toyota Corolla. 

The occupants of both vehicles had to be taken to hospital in critical condition.

“Please, we urge community members to please stop picking up hitchhikers. This is a horrific accident that could have been entirely avoided. The SACCW would like to thank the ambulance and emergency services for their quick and professional response to the scene,” said SACCW member, Frik van Dyk.

Local News | Police warn hitchhikers

Read more here:https://t.co/gDcsCWhY1l#SAPS #emalahlnei #crime #hitchhiking

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) May 6, 2024

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