A late-night robbery attempt in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, ended fatally when an armed hitchhiker shot two of his five attackers who had taken him hostage and attempted to rob him.

The incident occurred just before midnight on Saturday when five men in a Hyundai Tucson offered the hitchhiker a lift. According to Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the men, armed with a knife, refused to drop the passenger at his destination and instead robbed him of his possessions.

“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,” Mdhluli said.

When the group drove to an ATM, where one suspect left to withdraw money, the hitchhiker seized the opportunity. He drew his firearm and fatally shot the driver and another passenger, causing the remaining suspects to flee.

The victim immediately sought help at a nearby filling station, where security officers responded before police arrived. Upon arrival, police found two deceased individuals and later arrested one suspect who returned to the scene.

Police identified the arrested suspect as a Zimbabwean national who owns the vehicle used in the attempted robbery. He faces robbery charges and will appear in the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court. The Department of Home Affairs is working with investigators to verify his immigration status.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the two remaining suspects, while the identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.