A South African minister said Tuesday she had a gun pointed at her head before being robbed and her bodyguards’ weapons stolen in what police called an “unprecedented incident”
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said she was unhurt but traumatised by the ordeal in the early hours of Monday.
“I am in one piece,” Chikunga told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday. “The whole experience was very traumatising and devastating.”
Chikunga’s car was forced to stop on a highway south of Johannesburg, after the tyres were punctured by spikes, the transport ministry said.
As her bodyguards got out of the vehicle to change the tyres, three “well-dressed” gunmen wearing balaclavas appeared and disarmed them, Chikunga said.
“They opened my door… pointed a gun to my head and ordered me to come out,” she said.
Police said the robbers stole personal belongings and two South African Police Service (SAPS) pistols.
Chikunga said her laptop and phone were among the items stolen, adding the gunmen demanded money but she was carrying only 200 rand ($10).
“A manhunt has since been launched following this unprecedented incident and to bring to book those responsible,” said police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe.
Agence France-Presse