Manhunt for suspects who robbed Canadian tourist in Mbombela

The family was stopped by bogus police officers with blue lights while driving around town, who then took them to a number of ATMs to force the businessman to withdraw large some of money.

Police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli said the victims were also robbed of their cell phones and jewellery.

"According to a report, a group of about four armed suspects were driving in a Ford Ranger bakkie, which reportedly had blue lights. 

"It is further alleged that the occupants of the bakkie flashed the blue lights and cornered the victims who were held at gunpoint. The suspects allegedly demanded some items from their victims."

"They were then taken to nearby ATMs where the suspects somehow obtained PIN codes from the victims and then reportedly withdrew an undisclosed amount of cash from various ATMs.

"Some of the items that were taken from the victims include mobile phones, jewellery, cash as well as bank cards before they left the victims in Masoyi policing area outside Nelspruit," he added.

Meanwhile, four friends have been safely reunited with their families after they were kidnapped by a group of men posing as law enforcement officers in Mpumalanga.

The four friends were travelling between Standerton and Trichardt on Monday evening when a group of men stopped them in a car fitted with blue lights.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the four men were kidnapped and kept captive while the suspects withdrew large sums of money from their bank accounts.

"The matter was reported to the SAPS, and the anti-kidnapping task team operationalised information and traced the friends within 48 hours to a house in Vosloorus in Gauteng.

"A manhunt is underway to apprehend those behind this crime."

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