A drive-by shooting at Parkgate Taxi Rank in Verulam, South Africa, has left two taxi bosses dead and one food stall owner injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, with gunmen opening fire on the victims. According to Prem Balram of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the shooting has been attributed to rivalry and drug dealing, with a drastic increase in violent crimes in Verulam and surrounding areas.
The police are investigating a case of attempted murder and two counts of murder following the incident. Captain Ntathu Ndlovu, provincial police spokesperson, stated that the two victims, aged between 26 and 32, were shot and killed, while a third victim was wounded and taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The police have not made any arrests yet, but investigations are underway.
According to eyewitnesses, a grey vehicle with two unknown male suspects inside stopped near the victims and started shooting. The two victims were standing near a food stall when they were shot. The survivor, a taxi boss, reported that he and his friend were seated with the owner inside the informal food stall when the unknown grey vehicle approached and the occupants opened fire on them.
The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) responded to the scene, and their paramedics stabilized the injured man before transporting him to a medical facility. Balram stated that witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before noticing a grey vehicle fleeing the area. The RUSA found that a taxi boss and a food stall owner had been fatally shot, while a second taxi boss was found seated inside a white Nissan bakkie with multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen.
Prem Balram believes that visible policing and arresting drug lords can tackle these violent crimes. He stated that reducing gang-related crimes could also reduce violent crimes. Balram added that it is no longer safe in the streets of Verulam and surrounding areas, with a spike in violent crimes recently, and it has become a trend that daily they are dealing with murders, recovering human bodies on the side of the roads, and drive-by shootings.
The police have recovered two rifle cartridge casings and one projectile at the scene. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the community, with Balram stating that the area is no longer safe. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist with the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to identify the suspects and their motives. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to prevent such crimes.
Key points
- The drive-by shooting has been attributed to rivalry and drug dealing.
- The police are investigating a case of attempted murder and two counts of murder.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the community.
