I was scared they could shoot’ - Chikunga details robbery ordeal

The minister says that she, her two protectors and her brother had stopped on the N3 between Vosloorus and Heidelberg in Gauteng to change a flat tyre.

Chikunga says three men approached them.

"It’s decent boys. They could be around the ages of late 20 or early 30s. Well dressed, no bad smell. It was really devasting, but I'm alive. I'm okay now." 

Sharing the details of the incident with Parliament's Transport Portfolio Committee on Monday, Chikunga told them her bodyguards and her brother were made lie down on the ground while the robbers demanded money from her at gunpoint.

ALSO READ: Transport Minister, team hit by robbers on N3

"I said I don't carry money with me, I only have R200 in my bag, so they opened my bag and they found that. And there was a cell phone on the seat.

"When I got out of the car, I looked at this person. He had gloves on, I think I can recognise his face. Then there were three others pointing fingers in order for them to take cell phones and take whatever."

 The minister said one of the suspects tried to force her wedding ring off.

"When he failed to take it out, he then pointed a firearm, and that time, I was scared that they could really shoot because they had nothing to lose. They would shoot and run away.

"I said, but this is the only thing I have between my late husband and myself. I value it so much. They said, 'Okay Mamzo', and off they left."  

The manhunt for the suspects continues.