State car stolen as workers fix SA flood-hit road

While repairing a road devastated by recent rains, South African authorities are said to have recovered a car stolen from transport ministry personnel.

Authorities told local media that the technicians were held at gunpoint near Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal area before fleeing in the white pick-up truck.

The event occurred on South Africa's Freedom Day, on Wednesday, and a local official described it as terrible that the workers had given up their holiday to serve the community only to be attacked by thieves.

A carjacking case was opened at a nearby police station, prompting the start of the investigation.

The vehicle was eventually discovered abandoned and hauled away, according to officials from the local IOL website.