South Africa: Thugs Hijack Flashy Minister, Force Him To Draw Cash From ATMs

South African police said Friday that at least two gunmen hijacked the country’s home affairs minister, and forced him to withdrew cash from different ATMs before releasing him.

Minister Njabulo Nzuza was reportedly hijacked Thursday afternoon immediately he left a shopping centre in Midrand in the central Gauteng province. He was trailed by men in blue VW GTi Golf with blue lights flashing, police said.

“Two men carrying handguns approached the deputy minister and forced him out of the driver’s seat and then on to the floor at the back. They drove around with him, withdrawing money from different ATMs,” National Police Spokesperson Brig Vushnu Naidoo said.

The thugs later dropped off the Minister in Mamelodi West and sped away with his blue Range Rover, two cellphones and his wallet. No arrests have been made.

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South Africa is beset by high crime rates and violence against women and children. Last year, a total of 51,765 common robberies were recorded, up from 50,730 the year before. On average, 142 common robberies were recorded each day according to police. In 2018/19 police said a total of 16,026 cars were hijacked.