Sindisiwe Chikunga, South Africa’s transport minister, was robbed at gun-point after her vehicle stopped on a highway to change a burst tyre.
Speaking virtually at the transport portfolio committee meeting in parliament on Tuesday, Chikunga said she was in the vehicle with her brother and bodyguards on Monday when they noticed that one of the tyres had a puncture.
“The wheel was severely damaged. Bodyguards had to change the tyre. Just as they were putting bags and [the] damaged tyre [in the car, the robbery happened],” she said.
Chikunga added that, while in the car, she heard the commotion outside and tried to make a call, however, one of the three robbers approached the car, opened the door, and pointed a gun at her head.
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“They took R200 in my possession, laptops and my brother’s bag from the vehicle,” she said.
“They tried to take my ring. I said it was the only thing I value between me and my husband.”
The minister said she had been left “devastated and traumatised”.
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She described the robbers as well dressed and being in their 20s or 30s with a fluent command of Zulu.
A statement from the department of transport said the minister’s vehicle had been punctured by spikes placed on the road, hence the burst tyre.
Chikunga’s bodyguards who were changing the tyre when the gang attacked were robbed of their firearms and belongings.
Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson, said the guards were “relieved from their duties and the Minister has been provided with other resources until such time that the current are fit and proper to return to their posts”.
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Mathe added that “members involved are receiving necessary support and counselling from the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness unit”.
An investigation is underway to find the culprits, police added.
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