Mystery surrounds murder of e-hailing driver after alleged car wash robbery
Mystery surrounds whether an e-hailing driver was pursued and shot dead because he was able to identify suspects who allegedly robbed a car wash he was at during the robbery.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Verulam police have opened a murder case after a 30-year-old man was allegedly shot dead by five unknown suspects on Tuesday in Zwelisha.
“The victim was found lying next to the road with multiple gunshot wounds,” Netshiunda said.
“Reports indicate that the deceased was driving his vehicle when he was blocked by the suspects’ vehicle. The victim reportedly got out of his vehicle and ran. The suspects pursued him, shooting and killing him instantly.”
Netshiunda added that the murder motive is unknown.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said the victim, an e-hailing driver, was killed by men fleeing the scene of a robbery on Tuesday.
When Rusa members responded to the scene, they found the man’s body lying in a prone position on a residential property. His silver Toyota Etios was located several metres away. The man, believed to be in his 30s, was shot multiple times in the chest and head.
Balram said interviews with several persons revealed that the victim was at a car wash in Amaoti when the business was robbed by suspects in a silver Suzuki (model and registration unknown). The suspects followed the victim when he drove away.
“They rammed his vehicle multiple times and fired multiple times as they entered Zwelisha - KZN. The suspects eventually forced the Toyota Etios to stop. The victim exited the car and fled on foot. The suspects pursued and shot him multiple times before they fled in an unknown direction,” Balram said.
He stated that several spent 9mm cartridges were recovered at the scene.
“It could not be confirmed if the victim was murdered because he could identify the suspects,” Balram added.
On Facebook, Jeralde Pandohe, who seemed to know the victim, described him as humble.
Similarly, Precious Mthembu said the victim used his vehicle for Uber.
Reacting, this is what others had to say about the incident:
Nolitha Nzimande said: “This is so heartbreaking, he was probably killed because he could identify them…”
UNqobile Gumede said: “Maybe he was killed because he witnessed the incident.”
Jot Jay said: “Wrong place at the wrong time.”
Nhlanganiso Shaun Ngcobo said: “Nah but this is sad. Imagine being murdered for simply driving away…”
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za