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Hitchhikers in the Nelspruit area are falling prey to a gang which offers pedestrians lifts then drugs and robs them, police warned on Wednesday.
The latest victim was a 29-year-old man who was given a lift at Ngodwana, near the N4 on Tuesday, then accepted an offer of yoghurt from what appeared to be the kindly driver, said Superintendent Mtsholi Bhembe.
"He appreciated the good Samaritan giving him a lift and then offering him a drink," he said.
The next thing the man remembered was feeling dizzy. He woke up dazed to find himself sitting on the side of the road near Schoemanskloof - his wallet, money and cellphone gone. He could only describe the car as a sedan.
 
Police planned to conduct tests on him to determine what drug was used.
Previous victims had reported the crimes late, because they were found dazed and abandoned at the side of the road, taken to hospital, and treated, making it difficult for police to conduct accurate tests on the small drug residue left in their system.
In an incident on November 24, a victim was picked up by what he thought was a white VW Fox between Sabie and Graskop, was offered juice, then felt dizzy and passed out, said Bhembe.
He woke up in hospital with no idea how he got there, and his money and bank card missing.
Police suspect a woman could be involved, because in one instance, involving a VW Jetta, the victim reported feeling dizzy after having a cup of tea with a female friend of the driver during a stop.
Although the victims were mostly unable to give detailed descriptions of the models of cars used, police had noted that a BMW was also used in the ploy.
"The police understand that public transport is expensive and that people are trying to save money or are in a hurry and can't wait for a taxi to fill up before it leaves. But, we urge people to plan their journeys to avoid this.
"But if they are forced to hitchhike, they must politely refuse any offers of food or drink. Just say 'thank you, but no thank you'.
"Fabricate a story and say you are fasting so that you don't appear to be offending the driver. Even a banana which is peeled or a can which looks sealed. This is very important," said Bhembe. - Sapa
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