Two alleged robbers were fatally shot after attempting to rob an armed hitchhiker in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, a spokesperson for the provincial police, confirmed the incident, saying five men had picked up the hitchhiker in a Hyundai Tucson just before midnight on Saturday.
The men, reportedly armed with a knife, refused to let the hitchhiker exit the vehicle at his intended destination, leading to a violent confrontation. Said Mdhluli (via <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/two-robbers-shot-dead-after-armed-hitchhiker-fights-back-one-zimbabwean-arrested-91d59d9a-78a8-40b1-8938-af9362557491">IOL</a>):
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Instead, [they] held him hostage and robbed him of his cell phone and other personal belongings. One of the men is said to have robbed the victim of his bank card and demanded the PIN from the victim.
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Mdhluli said the men drove to the nearest ATM, where one of them exited the vehicle to withdraw money, while the remaining four stayed inside the car with the hitchhiker. He added:
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The hitchhiker is said to have pulled out a firearm and then fatally shot the driver and a passenger. The other suspects then ran for their lives.
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The hitchhiker quickly went to a nearby filling station to seek help, and security officers responded while police were alerted.
When the police arrived, they discovered two lifeless bodies and arrested one suspect who had returned to the scene.
Mdhluli confirmed that the man who returned was a Zimbabwean national and the vehicle owner.
The arrested suspect has been charged with robbery, and a manhunt is underway for the other two suspects. He is expected to appear in the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court soon.
Meanwhile, investigators are working with the Department of Home Affairs to verify the arrested Zimbabwean national’s status. The identities of the two individuals who were fatally shot are still unknown.
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In South Africa, two robbers tried to rob a hitchhiker who was actually armed. The hitchhiker shot and killed two robbers, and one was arrested. The robbers took the hitchhiker's phone and bank card, then made him go to an ATM to withdraw money. The hitchhiker then shot the robbers when they were at the ATM. The police arrived, found the dead robbers, and arrested one suspect. The arrested suspect is from Zimbabwe and has been charged with robbery. The police are still looking for the other two suspects. They are also trying to confirm the status of the arrested suspect in the investigation.

SA: Two Robbers Killed In Failed Attempt To Rob Armed Hitchhiker, One Zimbabwean Arrested

Four hitchhikers were robbed of their cash and valuables after boarding a Mushikashika vehicle around 11 AM in Rusape on Saturday, 17 June.
Police said the four victims boarded a Nissan motor vehicle at Victoria Chitepo Hospital bus stop intending to go to Harare.
The vehicle had four occupants who later produced knives, robbed the victims, and stripped them naked before dumping them in a bushy area. Police said:
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Police in Rusape are investigating a case of a robbery that occurred on 17/06/23 at around 1100 hours in which four victims boarded a Nissan motor vehicle, vehicle registration number AFG 1258, at Victoria Chitepo Hospital bus stop intending to go to Harare.
The motor vehicle had four suspects on board who drove towards Mount Tikwiri before they produced knives and attacked the victims.
The suspects stole a Huawei cellphone, an Itel p36 cellphone, an iPhone 13 Promax cellphone, a Techno Spark7 cellphone, a box of cosmetics, a satchel containing various clothing, an HP laptop and US$570 before they undressed the victims, blindfold and dumped them in a bushy area near Harare- Mutare Road.
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Police have appealed for information that may lead to the arrest of the four suspects who are still at large.
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