Manhunt: 3 Woman attacked and robbed,1 fatally shot, White River

South African Police Service

Manhunt: 3 Woman attacked and robbed,1 fatally shot, White River
Manhunt: 3 Woman attacked and robbed,1 fatally shot, White River

Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for a suspect who murdered a 35-year-old woman in White River on Sunday 28 February 2021. The incident occurred after three females were offered a lift from Kabokweni to Nelspruit by an unknown man driving a blue Toyota Etios. He then reportedly robbed the victims once they were in his vehicle and fatally shot one of them.

The man who was armed with a firearm, is reported to have detoured from the initial route where the victims were going and headed to another direction. He then stopped at a secluded area around White River where he allegedly pointed the victims with a firearm and robbed them of their belongings, which included an undisclosed amount of cash.

One of the victims pepper sprayed him in an attempt to break free from his capture but he shot at her at close range. He then instructed the other two to get out of the car and he drove off with the injured victim. The matter was reported to the police who immediately began looking for the suspect.

After the incident, the suspect is said to have headed towards the plantation at a certain farm in White River, with the injured woman inside bleeding profusely. He reportedly held a security guard hostage there and robbed him of his uniform. He then took the injured woman out of the car before setting it alight.

The suspect is said to have also hijacked a white Toyota Fortuner from its owner which he used as a getaway vehicle. However, the car was later found abandoned at Kiepersol near Hazyview. While other officers were continuing with their search, they received some developments regarding the suspect they were searching for.

Police followed up on it but only found the Toyota Etios burning and a woman lying on the ground next to the burning car. They summoned medical personnel as well as other relevant law enforcement agencies but unfortunately, the woman was certified dead at the scene. Police opened a case of murder with additional charges of armed robbery and hijacking. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Toyota Etios was reported stolen in September 2020 at Nelspruit.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect may contact the White River Detective Branch Commander, Captain John Mabunda at 082 449 0334.

Alternatively, members of the community can call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPS APP which can be downloaded to any smartphone.

Callers may remain anonymous and all information received will be treated with confidentiality.

SAPS Newsroom

SOURCESouth African Police Service