Two alleged robbers were shot dead after they attempted to rob an armed hitchhiker in Middleburg, Mpumalanga. The incident occurred just before midnight on Saturday, when five men gave the hitchhiker a ride in a Hyundai Tucson. Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, a provincial police spokesperson, explained that the men, armed with a knife, refused to drop the hitchhiker off at his destination. Instead, they held him hostage, stealing his cell phone and other personal items.

While investigating, authorities are working with the Department of Home Affairs to confirm the status of the arrested Zimbabwean national. The identities of the two men who were shot dead have not yet been confirmed. It was later revealed that the suspect who was arrested is the vehicle’s owner and a Zimbabwean national.

The arrested man faces robbery charges, while a manhunt is underway for the other two suspects.

According to Mdhluli, one of the robbers took the victim’s bank card and demanded the PIN. The men then drove to a nearby ATM, where one suspect withdrew money while the others stayed in the car with the hitchhiker. At this point, the hitchhiker drew a firearm and fatally shot the driver and one passenger. The remaining suspects fled the scene. The hitchhiker then sought help at a nearby filling station, and security personnel intervened while police were called to the scene. Upon their arrival, officers found two deceased suspects and arrested one who had returned to the area.

The arrested man is expected to appear in the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court soon.