Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for suspects who shot and wounded a taxi owner in Centurion in an attempted hit.
The taxi owner was shot and wounded in front of Centurion Golf Estate near Pretoria on Wednesday evening. The taxi owner was in the company of two friends when the incident happened. He is a member of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).
The victim and his friend were in a red Ferrari on Wednesday when another person arrived and joined them at the Centurion Gold Estate parking lot.
It is alleged that, as the taxi owner got out of the Ferrari, four assailants travelling in a white BMW drove to the estate’s parking lot and started shooting at the 56-year-old taxi owner.
A security officer, who was patrolling in the area, retaliated and shot at the gunmen. The injured taxi owner was rushed to the hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.
Colonel Noxolo Kweza, the police spokesperson confirmed that the incident and said the taxi owner is affiliated to a taxi association in Pretoria.
“Gauteng police are searching for suspects after a taxi owner was shot and wounded in front of the Centurion Golf Estate on Wednesday evening. Armed suspects travelling in a white vehicle allegedly drove into the estate’s parking area and started shooting directly at the 56-year-old taxi ower,” said Kweza.
Police confirmed AK47 and R5 cartridges were found on the scene. Kweza said they are investigating a case of attempted murder.
Santaco has yet to comment on the matter.
Source: News24, Sowetan Live, Times Live, image from Twitter: SAPS