A ‘blue-light’ robbery just outside the Mbombela CBD saw five people robbed at gunpoint, abducted and held hostage for about four hours last Saturday night, January 6.
One of the victims, who is a foreign citizen but lives in Mbombela, spoke to Lowvelder on condition of anonymity, for safety reasons. She said she was with her son and two grandchildren, who were visiting her from their home in North America, and another person, who is a South African, when the incident occurred.
She said they were driving through Mbombela in a rented Toyota Fortuner when they were stopped by a bakkie with flashing blue lights on Samora Machel Drive near the Mpumalanga High Court at about 20:20.
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She described the entire ordeal as a very long frightening night that left every single one of them traumatised.
She said when they stopped their vehicle, a man from the bakkie came to the window and asked for their licences. She alleged that he was impersonating a police officer, which her son suspected, and that he requested to see his identification.
She said the next minute, the car doors were forced open by several men, one of whom pointed a firearm at her son. Four men then got into the Fortuner with the victims and drove off, followed by the bakkie.
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She said the suspects eventually stopped the vehicle and rifled through all the victims’ things, stealing jewellery, cash, bank cards, cellphones and other electronics. They were then forced out of the car, and her son was thrown to the ground by one of the suspects.
“They pointed a gun at his head and beat him about the head with it.”
She said the men did not harm anyone else, but were very verbally threatening.
Then they then forced the other four victims onto the back of the bakkie, locking the canvas cover over them, while she was made to get into the back seat of the bakkie, flanked by two men. Another two men sat in front. She said she was told to keep her head down and it was then covered with a jacket.
The woman said they drove around for hours, stopping at various ATMs where the suspects withdrew money from the victims’ bank accounts.
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She said the suspects eventually stopped somewhere in Masoyi and let the victims go back to their rented vehicle and leave.
The woman said it was almost 01:00 when they drove to the White River Police Station to open a case. However, she said the officers told them the matter was not in their jurisdiction, and that they should go to the Nelspruit Police Station instead, which they did.
“I am grateful we are all alive,” said the woman.
She said her son and two grandchildren have since returned to North America.
The police’s response:
A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said the police are investigating a case of robbery with a firearm.
He said no arrests have been made yet, and anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspects, should call Detective Colonel Thami Mkhaliphi on 082 469 2431. Alternatively, call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via the My SAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Mdhluli added that any victims of crime can open a case at any police station.
“People should not be denied opening a case that happened in other areas. The police must help.”
He thus said the five victims from Saturday’s incident have a right to lay a formal complaint.
The KLCBT’s response:
The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism’s (KLCBT) COO, Linda Grimbeek, said there are posters up at local police stations directing officers on what to do and who to call from the KLCBT and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) when a tourist has been a victim of crime.
She said if one comes in to a report a crime at a police station, the officers should report the matter to the KLCBT or the MTPA immediately so they can start their victim support process at once and get the victims the help they need. The 24-hour tourism helpline is 066 300 0991.
How to avoid ‘blue-light’ robberies:
Mdhluli said people should be wary of stopping for suspicious vehicles with blue lights, especially if it is just one vehicle alone and not part of a planned roadblock or operation, especially at night.
“Sometimes, these vehicles will park in the road in a remote area during the day. This can give you an idea that these people are not with the police. The public is advised not to stop for these vehicles, but to rather drive to the nearest police station.
“The minute you stop, they will take advantage of you. If possible, try and avoid driving late at night. People should be able to drive at whatever time they want, but criminals take advantage of those times,” he said.
He also urged people to try and remain calm when faced with crime.
He said a victim resisting or confronting a criminal, could put their life in danger, as they could be armed. He also cautioned people not to carry a lot of cash and bank cards on them.
