Johannesburg - A newly-wed British woman on honeymoon in Cape Town was killed after she and her husband were hijacked in Guguletu, the office of the province's tourism minister said on Sunday.
The couple, who were married two weeks ago, were apparently returning from a dinner in Somerset West, when two armed men approached their shuttle service bus in Guguletu, Tammy Evans, spokesperson for Tourism MEC Alan Winde, told reporters.
Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut said the hijacking happened at the intersection of NY108 and NY112 at around 11pm on Saturday. Two armed men forced the driver out of the vehicle and drove off with the couple.
At around midnight they dropped the 31-year-old man in the Harare area of the Khayelitsha informal settlement.
“After seeking the assistance of a passing motorist, he was taken to Harare police station unharmed.”
Following a search the hijacked car, a Volkswagen Sharan, was found in Lingelethu West. The body of the 28-year-old woman was on the back seat.
Traut would not comment on how she was killed, saying an autopsy would be conducted first. He would also not disclose their names or where in the UK they were from. They arrived in Cape Town last Thursday.
Said Evans: “The tourism safety and support team have been at the scene since 7.20am this morning. We arranged counselling and accommodation for the husband.
“We are obviously devastated. We have had no incidents from the World Cup up until now.”
Western Cape Tourism MEC Alan Winde said the husband had family in the Eastern Cape. They were coming up to join him. From what he understood the couple had decided, after a tour of the winelands, to drive through Guguletu to “look at some of the nightlife”.
He expressed his condolences to the relatives.
The British High Commission in Pretoria has offered to help the victims' families.
“We are aware of the situation... and we're offering consulate assistance,” spokesperson Gary Benham told reporters.
“We cannot give out any information about the couple... it will be up to the family whether to release details or not.”
The two attackers were still at large. Anyone who could help police catch them was asked to contact the investigating officer, Colonel Riaan Theron on 082-463-8706 or Crime Stop on 08600-10111. - Sapa