Mpumalanga motorists warned against lifting hitchhikers in THIS spot

Mpumalanga police have cautioned the public against hitchhiking or lifting hitchhikers following a spate of robberies in the Kinross police precinct.

Police say hitchhiking and giving lifts to hitch-hikers may result in crimes such as robberies or risk the lives of those engaged in the practice.

MPUMALANGA MOTORISTS AND HITCHHIKERS WARNED

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said no final conclusions could be drawn up as yet since the investigations are still ongoing, police cannot rule out the possibility that some of the robberies in Kinross could be influenced by hitchhiking as reported incidents occurred near hitchhiking spots.

Mohlala said some motorists were hijacked in the identified hiking spots, which prompted the police to issue a warning.

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“The police continue to warn citizens to be extra cautious so that unfortunate incidents like rapes or murder could be prevented, but it seems as if some are not adhering to the advice as they carry on hitchhiking and giving lifts to strangers. It is shocking to learn that some people think it may not happen to them, but this behaviour often puts their lives at risk,” the spokesperson said.

Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has urged public members to stay away from hitchhiking or offering lifts to people they do not know.

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