A gang of ten-armed men stormed a Thohoyandou filling station in the early hours of Monday, leaving a customer shot and several vehicles hijacked in a robbery that has sparked a province-wide manhunt.
The incident happened at around 2:30am in the Ha Budeli area. According to reports the suspects, all male and armed with firearms, entered the station and ordered employees and customers to cooperate before forcing their way into the store.
“They forced open a safe and stole undisclosed amount of cash,” said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
Once outside, the situation escalated as the suspects hijacked several vehicles belonging to both customers and an employee.
“During the incident, several vehicles belonging to customers and an employee were hijacked. Some of the stolen vehicles were later recovered after being abandoned in different areas. The recovered vehicles include a blue Ford Raptor, a black Polo sedan, and a white Ford Ranger Wildtrak,” Ledwaba added.
However, a white Polo GTI and a Ford Figo remain missing, with registration numbers currently unknown.
Ledwaba also confirmed that a male customer was shot during the hijacking and is currently receiving medical treatment in hospital.
Police believe the suspects may have local links, with preliminary investigations revealing that they communicated in Tshivenda and Sepedi during the robbery.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Thembi Hadebe, has strongly condemned the attack and directed that all available resources be mobilised to ensure the swift arrest of those responsible.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in tracking down the suspects. Anyone with information can contact Investigating Officer Sergeant Takalani Mulaudzi, the nearest police station, or report anonymously through Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or the MySAPS App.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za
