Swazi couple hi-jacked
A couple from Swaziland was hi-jacked by a man wielding a toy gun on Saturday.
According to Capt. Khanyisile Zwane, Middelburg police spokeswoman, the couple were underway from Swaziland to eMalahleni to visit friends.
They picked up a female hitchhiker near Carolina who also wanted to go to eMalahleni, a few hundred metres further the couple picked up a second hitchhiker, this time a male who wanted to go to Middelburg.
Jeremia Thokozani Zulu (34) claimed that he worked at Beestepan farm near Middelburg and wanted to get off at the Woestalleen offramp on the N4.
When the vehicle stopped to let him out, the man pulled out a gun and threatened the occupants of the vehicle. He demanded money which they did not have. Zulu then allegedly ordered the Swaziland couple out of the car but instructed the female occupant to remain seated, before he drove off.
A lookout for the suspected vehicle was circulated amongst local police stations. Officers of the Hendrina station who were on patrol, saw a vehicle with matching registration numbers and pulled it over.
Zulu was arrested and allegedly found in possession of a toy gun. The female passenger was no longer in the vehicle. According to police, Zulu claimed that he dropped her off, three kilometre from where he hijacked the car.
A docket of hijacking has been opened. Zulu appeared in court on Monday. His photo was not made available because he still has to take part in an identity parade.
The Middelburg police is urging the woman, who travelled with Zulu and the Swaziland couple, to contact the police. She can phone the head of the detective branch, col. Phela Mahlangu, on 076 942 5455.
