MOKOPANE, Limpopo – A massive manhunt is underway in the Waterberg District of Limpopo, South Africa, after a brutal armed robbery on a bus travelling from Johannesburg to Zimbabwe left two passengers dead. The South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched an investigation into the horrific incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, approximately eight kilometres before the Nyl Plaza tollgate on the N1 freeway.
The incident has sparked outrage, with images circulating online depicting the grim aftermath. One particularly distressing image shows a young child clinging to the blood-soaked body of her mother, who was seated in the bus. Other images show the body of a deceased man, and emergency medical services vehicles surrounding the bus.
According to provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the bus, a Volvo 60-seater, had departed from the Power House bus station in Johannesburg at approximately 10pm. The 42-year-old Zimbabwean driver had picked up 54 passengers at various points, including Midrand and Pretoria, all en route to Zimbabwe.
"Reports indicate that the complainant, a 42-year-old bus driver from Zimbabwe, had departed from the Power House (bus station in Johannesburg) driving a Volvo 60-seater bus with 54 passengers on board. The driver had picked up passengers at various points, including Midrand and Pretoria en route to Zimbabwe," said Ledwaba.
The situation turned deadly when two male passengers, who had been seated at the back of the bus, suddenly produced firearms and pointed them at the other passengers. A male passenger, aged around 30 and whose identity is yet to be confirmed, bravely attempted to disarm one of the assailants, prompting other passengers to intervene.
"During the struggle, the suspects fired several shots inside the bus, fatally wounding the 30-year-old male passenger and an unknown female, estimated to be 25 years old," Ledwaba confirmed.
Following the shootings, the assailants proceeded to rob the passengers of an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones. Adding another layer of complexity to the crime, police revealed that an unidentified vehicle had been following the bus. After the shooting, the attackers fled the bus, entered the waiting vehicle, and sped away from the scene. The make, model, and registration number of the getaway vehicle remain unknown.
The SAPS has opened cases of two counts of murder and armed robbery. As of now, no arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing.
The provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has strongly condemned the brutal attack and has ordered the establishment of a dedicated task team to track down the perpetrators.
"Anyone with information that can assist in the apprehension of the suspects is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Matsipi Makwela, on 076 786 1447; the Crime Stop number, 08600 10111; the nearest police station; or use the MySAPS App," police appealed, urging the public to assist in the investigation.
This latest incident is not isolated. In 2023, IOL reported that police in North West province had increased visibility and patrols following two separate attacks on buses transporting foreign tourists.
At the time, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, provincial police spokesperson in North West, told IOL that they were investigating the two incidents in which buses ferrying tourists were targeted by armed robbers.
"We can confirm that the (second) incident did occur on December 2, 2023 in the morning. Eleven tourists were in a tour bus, a Toyota Quantum, on the R556, in the Mooinooi area, when their bus was allegedly stopped and the tourists robbed of their personal property and cash by four armed suspects," she said.
Myburgh further detailed that the eleven tourists comprised six German citizens, two Polish citizens, two British citizens, and one American citizen.
The recent attack on the Zimbabwean bus highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by travellers in South Africa, particularly those using long-distance transport.
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