DURBAN - A taxi driver was gunned down while seated in his minibus taxi at the Gateway taxi rank in Verulam yesterday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said it was alleged that the 35-year-old driver was seated in his minibus taxi at the taxi rank in Verulam at midday, when he was fatally shot by unknown suspects.
“He sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the body. The suspects fled the scene in their getaway vehicle,” she said.
Mbele said the motive for the killing was unknown.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said about 20 minutes after the incident, a white Toyota Hiace Sesfikile sped into the parking area of the Rusa headquarters.
“Several men alighted from the taxi screaming for assistance. The body of a male was found in a prone position on the back seat with multiple gunshot wounds to his body and face,” he said.
Balram said the controller on duty dispatched Rusa officers and paramedics to the parking lot.
The wounded man was declared dead minutes later, he said.
He said occupants of the taxi stated that a lone gunman opened fire at the taxi driver at the Gateway Taxi Rank in the Verulam CBD.
“The suspect then got into the passenger seat of a grey/silver Toyota Etios and was driven away from the scene. Bystanders then loaded the critically injured man into the taxi and transported him to the Rusa base for assistance,” said Balram.
THE MERCURY