oThongathi taxi boss killed in a hail of bullets from high calibre rifles; his 9mm pistol was still holstered

Police said the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the upper body and was declared dead at the scene. Picture: Rusa

Police said the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the upper body and was declared dead at the scene. Picture: Rusa

Published Oct 21, 2021

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DURBAN - OThongathi police are investigating a case of murder after a 43-year-old man was shot and killed while seated in his vehicle in oThongathi, north of Durban, on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the incident took place around 1.30pm on Gopalall Hurbans Drive in oThongathi when the victim was shot by unknown suspects.

“He sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the upper body and was declared dead at the scene. The motive for the killing is unknown,” Gwala said.

Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said the victim was a taxi boss who was shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle at the oThongathi taxi rank in the oThongathi city centre.

Balram said Rusa had received multiple phone calls from the public and reported the shooting.

“Reaction officers were dispatched to the scene, and on arrival, it was established that the deceased was seated in his white Audi A4 when the occupants of a maroon VW Polo fired a volley of shots at his vehicle. The gunmen were allegedly armed with high calibre rifles,” Balram said.

“The deceased was struck multiple times on his body and his head. He was in possession of a 9mm pistol which was still holstered.”

This is how Facebook users responded to the murder:

Chico Bhola: Yasis, they not playing games in Tongaat. That area is a hot spot with taxi-related hits, it's happening too often. Something seriously needs to be done about it soon.

Thina Ncayiyana: Last week it was Kishore, this week it’s someone....it never ends yazi.

Makayla Anthony: Watched the incident happen in front of my eyes and it was so terrifying..... May blessings soul rest in peace and the perpetrators be brought to justice... To open fire In such a public place it was awful...

Shanil Thulasaie: This taxi route needs to be suspended till they can reach an agreement, the association chairman needs to take a strong stand here, to many operators killed here.

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