Cleveland SAPS spokesperson Captain Johan Jordaan has confirmed that a taxi owner was shot approximately 12 times in Kensington this afternoon.

According to Jordaan, the man was parked near the premises of the Church of Scientology when armed suspects in two separate vehicles opened fire at him.

The injured man then attempted to drive to safety but crashed his vehicle in the driveway of a property on Langermann Drive.

Police officers, as well as paramedics, responded to the scene and the man was transported to hospital in a serious condition.

Residents and motorists as urged to avoid the area while crime scene investigations are carried out.