Residents of Botshwana Village, outside Tzaneen in Limpopo, have been warned to avoid hitchhiking, especially during the festive season, after a series of violent robberies involving hitchhikers. A 36-year-old suspect was arrested on 10 December, following investigations into two separate incidents.
The first robbery occurred on 13 June when a 25-year-old hitchhiker was held at gunpoint by a motorist driving a white Toyota Avanza near Mahlakung Mall, Ga-Sekororo. Despite efforts to track down the suspect, a second robbery took place on 8 December, involving the same vehicle and targeting a 26-year-old woman along the D21 road.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Thakeng, confirmed that the search for the suspect intensified on 10 December. An operation led by the Mopani District tracking team and Tzaneen crime intelligence led to the discovery of the white Toyota Avanza in Botshwana Village, where the suspect was cornered and arrested.
Authorities are urging the public to prioritize safety by using public transport rather than hitchhiking, especially during the busy festive season.
