Tragedy as Armed Robbers Use Spikes to Attack Minister on Highway

South African Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga and her bodyguards were robbed by a group of armed criminals who used spikes to puncture the tires of her car on Monday.

The incident happened on the N3 highway, one of the country’s main roads, as the minister was traveling to Pretoria.

According to the Transport Ministry, the minister and her bodyguards were not injured but lost their valuables and service pistols to the robbers. The ministry condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” and called for the swift arrest of the perpetrators.

“The minister is safe and unharmed and has expressed her gratitude to the members of the public who came to her assistance,” Transport Ministry spokesman Collen Msibi said in a statement.

South African police said they have launched a manhunt for the suspects and appealed to the public for any information that could lead to their capture.

Police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said the attack was “unprecedented” and that the police were working hard to ensure the safety of the public and government officials.

South Africa is notorious for its high crime rate, which is driven by widespread poverty and unemployment.

The country recorded 280,000 hijacking incidents in the year ending March 2021, according to Statistics South Africa.

The N3 highway, which connects Johannesburg and Durban, is a frequent target for robbers who use spikes, stones or other objects to stop vehicles and loot them.

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