Police in Mpumalanga have arrested one suspect in connection with a terrible incident in which a tourist was fatally shot by a group of ruthless criminals at Numbi Road near White River in the afternoon, Monday 03 October 2022 around 16:30.
A 32-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday at Nelspruit and is appearing before Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court today, Friday 14 October 2022 facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and attempted hijacking.
On the day of the attack, it was reported that four tourists from Germany were allegedly traveling in a Hyundai H1 on Numbi Road en route to Numbi Gate at Mdluli Safari lodge. They were then stopped by three armed suspects who were driving in a VW Caddy. The suspects are said to have instructed the tourists to open the doors of their vehicle but when the driver reportedly locked all the doors, apparently one of the suspects shot him in the upper body through the window. It is further said that the victim’s vehicle drove in reverse for about 100 meters before crashing into the wall of Heroes Academy. Unfortunately, the driver died on the spot as a result of the shooting. The suspects reportedly sped off in their vehicle without taking anything from the tourists.
The police at Masoyi as well as other role players in the Emergency Services were alerted about the incident. A murder case was opened with an immediate launch of the manhunt for the suspects.
Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has appreciated the sterling work done by the seasoned detectives in cracking the case.