Couple recovering after being shot on N12

A couple that was shot on the side of the road after their car broke down on the N12 highway in Gauteng is recovering in hospital.

While returning home from holiday on New Year’s Day, Ludwig, 48, and Su-Mari, 51, Pieterse’s car broke down on the N12 highway, near the Voortrekker Road off-ramp in Alberton.

While waiting in the emergency lane for breakdown services an unknown man apparently appeared and demanded valuables from the couple. Shortly thereafter he opened fire at the couple and ran away, taking only a cellphone.

Lu-Charl Pieterse, Ludwig’s daughter, said the couple had been waiting for two hours for a response vehicle from their insurance company, Benoni City Times reported.

“About 10 minutes before the insurance company arrived, a man appeared from the bushes and demanded the car and their belongings,” said Lu-Charl.

“My dad told him the car couldn’t start, then he shot my dad in the leg. He then went around to my stepmom’s side – she was busy on my dad’s phone with the insurance company – when he shot her in the stomach and took the phone.”

Lu-Charl said three cars driving by stopped at this point, upon which the robber fled.

She said her dad and stepmom were both recovering in the Union Hospital in Alberton, where Su-Mari was in ICU.

About 60cm of Su-Mari’s intestines had to be removed due to the gunshot wound.

Lu-Charl added that the two were recovering well, but were still in pain.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said arrests pertaining to the incident were yet to be made. He further appealed to any members of the public with any information regarding the shooting to contact police.

– Caxton News Service