eThekwini Municipality employee shot dead in KwaZulu-Natal
A 51-year-old man believed to be an eThekwini Municipality employee was shot dead in a suspected targeted killing while driving to his residence in Mhlasini, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday evening.
The incident unfolded shortly before 7 pm, when the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Operations Centre received multiple calls for assistance after gunmen ambushed a blue Hyundai i10 at the corner of Hazelmere Drive and Quarry Road in Redcliffe.
“Verulam police have opened a case of murder and two of attempted murder following the incident in which three people were allegedly attacked while in the vehicle. The motive for the killing is unknown,” said police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo.
Reaction Officers and RUSA paramedics were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the driver slumped lifeless behind the steering wheel.
“He was shot multiple times and demised prior to the arrival of first responders,” RUSA said in a statement.
The victim’s 32-year-old girlfriend and a male colleague, who were passengers in the vehicle, were also targeted and shot at.
The woman sustained a gunshot wound to her lower back, while the man was grazed by a bullet on his back.
According to preliminary information, the trio were returning home when three men, who had been standing along the roadside, allegedly suddenly opened fire on the vehicle.
Both passengers managed to exit the car and fled on foot. The alleged attackers continued shooting at the driver as they advanced towards the vehicle, before escaping on foot in an unknown direction.
RUSA officers recovered thirteen spent 9mm cartridges at the scene.
IOL News