South African Minister Faces Terrifying Gunpoint Robbery on Highway
A South African government minister experienced a frightening armed robbery on a highway. The country’s Transport Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, confirmed that she was held at gunpoint, robbed, and her bodyguards’ weapons were taken in what the police have described as an extraordinary incident.
Chikunga shared her ordeal, explaining that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, November 6, and while she was physically unharmed, the traumatic experience left her deeply shaken.
The incident began when Chikunga’s vehicle was forced to stop on a highway south of Johannesburg due to spiked tires. As her bodyguards stepped out of the car to change the tires, three armed men, dressed inconspicuously and wearing balaclavas, approached and disarmed them. Chikunga recounted how they forced her out of the vehicle by pointing a gun at her head.
During the robbery, the criminals took personal belongings, including Chikunga’s laptop and phone, as well as two pistols belonging to the South African Police Service (SAPS). The gunmen also demanded money, but she had only 200 rand ($10) with her.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated that a manhunt had been launched to bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing the unusual nature of this incident, especially involving a high-profile government official with armed protection.
South Africa has faced a long-standing issue of high crime rates, recording over 500 robberies and nearly 70 murders each day from April to June of that year. Concerns have been raised about the government’s ability to provide safety and justice for crime victims.
Mathe stressed that the South African Police Service is committed to its role in safeguarding government officials and the general community, particularly in the realm of VIP protection, which has been a top priority for the police force over the years.
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