eMalahleni hitchhiker’s ride turns into Pretoria terror
What began as a simple hitchhike along the R555 turned into a nightmare journey to Pretoria, where the victim was held captive.
An eMalahleni resident’s attempt to hitchhike along the R555 turned into a terrifying ordeal when he was allegedly kidnapped by three men in broad daylight on August 22.
According to the police, the victim accepted a lift from the trio while hiking. Once inside the vehicle, the men allegedly searched him, confiscated his cellphone, and tied his hands. He was then allegedly driven out of eMalahleni to an abandoned house in Pretoria, where a so-called “boss” demanded money from him. When the victim said he had none, the men eventually dropped him off at an undisclosed location.
Police confirmed that the suspects remain unknown and at large.
Witbank SAPS spokesperson, David Ratau, has strongly warned residents against hitchhiking.
“We are pleading with members of the public to avoid hitchhiking as they are endangering their lives. Though we can’t force them, public transport is safer than hitchhiking,” he said.
Ratau further cautioned that hitchhikers are not only at risk of being robbed, but also of sexual assault or worse.
“In cases where you are not obeying the criminal’s instructions, you can end up being killed,” he said.
Witbank SAPS has appealed to community members to remain vigilant and report any information that may assist in the ongoing investigation to the police on 079 891 5570 or 013 655 5052.
Murder accused Mpilo Sibiya returns to court today as community members and loved ones, keep up the pressure for accountability in the brutal killing of Marchein Tlou
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) August 25, 2026
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