South Africa’s transport minister has described how she was robbed at gun-point after her vehicle stopped on a highway to change a burst tyre.

Sindisiwe Chikunga told a parliamentary committee that one of the masked attackers pointed a gun at her head during the ordeal early on Monday.

They stole some laptops, a phone and her bodyguards’ weapons, she said.

South Africa has long faced high crime levels, including car-hijackings, kidnappings and smash-and-grabs.

But it is very unusual for a government minister travelling with armed bodyguards to be robbed in their vehicle.

“I’m in one piece, but the whole experience was very traumatising,” Ms Chikunga told MPs.