BEITBRIDGE — Two women were shot dead and a third seriously injured when three gunmen attacked a Zimbabwe-bound bus in the Bela-Bela area of South Africa’s Limpopo province yesterday, and now the Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg has called for to the South African authorities to establish the full facts.
In an interview yesterday, Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Ms. Melody Chaurura, said: “We learned of the incident in the morning. Therefore, we have a team on the ground working together with host government authorities to establish more facts about this very sad incident. We will update once we establish all the details, including the identities of the deceased.”
Limpopo Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said no arrests had yet been made by police and asked anyone with information to approach the nearest police station.
“Bela-Bela police have opened two counts of murder, one of attempted murder and one of armed robbery after two women were shot to death and another wounded while riding on a bus early Thursday morning,” he said. Brig Wethair.
The three robbers boarded a Harare-bound bus at the Bosman Bus Terminal in Pretoria, posing as passengers. The Copperbelt bus company bus left Pretoria around 1am yesterday.
“While passing the Mantsole weighbridge along the N1 road, one of the suspects allegedly drew a firearm and fired a shot through the front windscreen, forcing the driver to stop,” Brig Mojapelo said.
“The other suspects shot three women, instantly killing two and seriously wounding the other. All other passengers were then ordered to disembark and lie on the ground. After which, the trio stole their belongings, including cash, cell phones, and passports. “
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He said the robbers then left in a car that had been behind the bus.
The Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commander of the Limpopo Police, issued an order yesterday for the police to search and bring the suspects to court.
Beitbridge resident and frequent traveler Mr Zibusiso Ndlovu said the recurrence of shooting robberies on the route now requires bus owners to consider installing metal detectors on the bus doors.
“In addition, parliamentarians should also draft laws that allow cross-border bus operators to use security equipment or employ security personnel (who will perform undercover roles on buses) to safeguard the lives of passengers,” he said.
Of late, Zimbabwean cross-border buses have become targets of violent crime between Pretoria and Polokwane. More than 15 buses have been attacked by armed gangs in the last 24 months.
