By A Correspondent- Nine people lost cash amounting to R28 850 and US$90 and other valuables after they were attacked by gun-wielding robbers while they were on their way to South Africa, through an illegal entry point along the Beitbridge borderline.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident which occurred on Thursday at around 4AM along Maphaye Bridge in Maphaye Village in Beitbridge.

He said the border jumpers were travelling in a Nissan Caravan vehicle along Phanda Mine Road when they found the road barricaded with boulders and four unidentified men who were armed with pistols pounced on them.

“I can confirm that we recorded a robbery case which occurred in Maphaye area in Beitbridge. The complainants are suspected to have been on their way to South Africa where they wanted to cross through an illegal entry point. At around 4AM, they were travelling along Phanda Mine Road towards Limpompo River when they came to Maphaye River Bridge and when they came to the end of the bridge, they found it barricaded.

“The driver then tried to reverse when two unknown men appeared from the front of the vehicle while armed with pistols and they fired shots in the air. The other two suspects appeared from the back of the vehicle and blocked it with bricks to stop the driver from fleeing,” he said.