Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

Mpumalanga police have warned motorists to be cautious about offering lifts to hitchhikers following the murder of a motorist along the N4 Highway near Middelburg on Tuesday night.

The victim, whom police identified only as JM Shai, was driving in his white Mazda 3 when he is said to have offered a lift to an unknown man.

Mpumalanga police spokesman Superintendent Abie Khoabane told Sowetan that the man's body was found in a pool of blood after having been stabbed in the chest.

"It was about 8pm when the victim's body was found in a pool of blood a distance away from his vehicle. We believe he might have given a lift to a stranger that killed him," said Khoabane yesterday.

He said the motive for the murder was unknown as nothing was taken from the victim.

"Our investigations will be able to reveal the murder motive. We are requesting anyone who can help us in our investigations to call the nearest police station," said Khoabane.