MASERU — A bread van belonging to Astoria Bakery was on Sunday morning hijacked by five armed men in Sefikeng.
Police said the armed robbers shot the driver on the hand before fleeing away with M1 900 in cash and the van.
Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha said the robbers blocked the vehicle when it was coming from Ha Seeiso to Maseru and started shooting at the driver and his assistant.
“The armed hijackers shot directly at the two men in the car. The driver was shot on the hand,” Masupha said.
“The hijackers took M1 900 that the two men had, their cell phones and then locked them in the back,” he said.
He said the robbers had driven to Lower Thamae where they abandoned the vehicle, leaving the driver and his assistant locked in the canopy.
He said the two were rescued by villagers who called the Thamae police.
“They rescued the two men and called Thamae police to the scene. The two were taken to hospital and police are still investigating,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Chinese-owned supermarket in Thetsane was last Friday also robbed by five armed men.
Masupha said the robbers took M6 000, two cell phones and used the owner’s Colt truck to flee.
He said the five robbers walked into the shop in broad daylight and demanded money, cell phones and car keys.
Masupha said the car was later found abandoned in Semphetenyane.
“The robbers did not even cover their faces when they were robbing the supermarket,” he said.
He said police were still investigating the matter and believed the villagers in Semphetenyane could give them vital information.
“The villagers might have seen those people who deserted that car and that would help the investigations.”
