A group of hikers were overpowered by seven men armed with knives on Sunday while they were hiking against the foot of the Magaliesberg on the R513 road near Damdoryn.
The hikers were on a trail on a private farm near Mount Amanzi around 12:00 when the seven robbers approached them. “The suspects were carrying knives and threatened the hikers, demanding their personal belongings,” said police spokesperson, Maria Nkabinde.
“The victims were robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones, hiking boots and a jacket. The suspects fled the scene. No one was injured.”
According to the owner of the farm on which the hiking trails are, a group of 23 hikers were on the trail but against her advice, split up at one stage. About eight hikers were in the group that got robbed. “I have closed the hiking trail for the time being.”
She said properties in the area have been experiencing problems with illegal woodcutters and a plan of action needs to be put in place to address this and other crime issues.