Hijacking victim requests help of witnesses
Having just finished a safari, tour guide Amanda Hewett was robbed of her belongings near Absa Square on the corner of Paul Kruger and Parkin Streets in Mbombela on Thursday afternoon.
Hewett was driving in an open safari vehicle when the incident occurred. The vehicle belongs to Nhongo Safaris where she works as a guide.
She has asked any witnesses to come forward if they have information on the incident. Witnesses can contact her on 073-034-8756.
The items stolen include a picture of her father who passed away, a Canon EOS 80D camera, a 600mm camera lens, binoculars, driver’s license and around R6 000 in cash. She has since been contacted by a woman in KaNyamazane who found her bag discarded with her ID inside.
ALSO READ: Well-known Nelspruiter passes away
Hewett has opened a case at the Nelspruit SAPS. She described the suspects as “two males, one tall and skinny, the other one short and stocky”.
Before the incident, she was at Crossing Centre and suspects this is where they were watching her. “They knew exactly where to go for the items. I think a warning should be put out, especially for female drivers traveling on their own.”
She described them as being very aggressive. “I tried to reverse and slam into one of them and then I slammed on the brakes and the one guy fell into my vehicle. He was very abusive and shouted at me.”
ALSO READ: Multiple arrests across Mpumalanga due to disregard for Covid-19 regulations
She proceeded to turn around and follow them, but they were soon gone. According to Hewett the vehicle was a blue Polo. Police said criminals often use rental cars during incidents like these.
Hewett also mentioned that the suspects tried (unsuccessfully) to use her cards at Zone Palace in KaNyamazane.
