Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has called on communities to avoid hitchhiking when travelling.
He says commuters should rather use available public transport and avoid placing their lives in harm’s way.
Shongwe explains that many people who ask for lifts from strangers at times become victims of crime and in worst cases never reach their destinations.
” We have had many reports of people who were robbed, sexually abused, drugged or even killed. We know sometimes people try and cut the corners because they don’t have money. It must be emphasized that hitchhiking is not safe for both hitchhikers and motorists,” insists the MEC.
Shongwe was reacting to the case of a hitchhiker who reportedly shot dead two alleged male robbers.
The deceased were shot while trying to rob a man that had asked for a lift on the N4 toll road in Mbombela earlier today.
It is believed that the man drew his firearm when one of the men was trying to rob the hitchhiker using a knife.
The men were occupants in a VW Polo hatchback which was reportedly travelling from Mbomela to Malelane. The police are investigating.
MEC Shongwe is once more calling on the police to follow all the leads in order to ascertain if the victims and the vehicle in question cannot linked to other similar crimes around Mbombela.
He is also calling on members of the public who may have information regarding this and other cases, to come forward and assist the police.
