Locals have been using Facebook to warn each other about an alleged group of men who offer hitchhikers, especially women, lifts and end up robbing them around Hazyview.
Residents from KaMajika and Sandriver say that the group offers victims a lift and end up taking them to secluded areas where they rob them of their valuable belongings, including bank cards and cell phones.
Also read: WARNING: Hitchhikers targeted by criminals on the N4
“Be safe and use public transport, it is better to get home late than ending up in the mortuary. The group now targets women at drinking places where they offer them alcohol and end up taking them to hide-outs where they be rape them. One of our young sisters from Sandriver was found dead at lvory Park last week Monday morning,” posted Majika Bonga Magomane Takgane on his Facebook account
Also read: Hitchhikers assaulted in Mbombela, robbed of their belongings
Hazyview police spokesperson, Constable Duduzile Malibe said although they haven’t received any reported case on the above allegation, they do warn people on the dangers of hiking.
“Although we haven’t received reported cases of such incidents, but we warn the community to refrain from hiking. We only have one case where someone was robbed after getting a lift on the Sabie road,” she said.
Malibe also urged members of the community to report any criminal cases to the police or call Hazyview police on 013 737 8284 or the police crime stop number 086 0010 111.
