Daughter (5) watched as father was gunned down
The taxi boss was driving a white Toyota Hilux and was in the company of his five-year-old daughter when he was shot and killed on September 4.
While still grieving over the loss of their mother, the children of the Joburg Taxi Association chairman’s family were informed of the death of their father, Mr Shadrack Sidu.
Mr Sidu was shot and killed in Phomolong after he had dropped off his seven-year-old son at school. He was gunned down approximately 500 metres away from the school.
The taxi boss was driving a white Toyota Hilux and was in the company of his five-year-old daughter when the incident took place on September 4.
It is believed the deceased was shot nine times and died during his attempts to secure his daughter from the gunfire.
It is believed the occupants of a blue Mercedes Benz opened fire at the corner of Mdaka and Pollsmoor streets.
According to Mr Sidu’s daughter, Ms Jessica Sidu (21), their mother died after a short illness in April this year.
“My parents’ deaths have left us in an unimaginable amount of pain. When I rushed to the scene of my father’s shooting, I didn’t know he had already died.
“I thought he was still alive but unfortunately, I found that he had already passed on,” she said.
Ms Sidu said her father was a family man, a hard worker and gave his family a lot of love and attention.
“He dedicated his life to us and his work. I am hoping the police do their job and bring the perpetrators to book,” she added.
The younger brother of the deceased, Mr Sipho Sidu, said his brother was a role model in their family.
“He was humble, business-minded and a quiet man. He was supportive and courageous,” he said.
He added that they are hoping and praying that the shooting, which took his brother’s life, does not happen to any other family.
“After the funeral, we will his five-year-old daughter for counselling, as she was traumatised by what she saw when her father died. We have handed everything to God and we hope arrests will be made to ensure justice for my brother,” he said.
Mr Shadrack Sidu and his family originally come from Mpumalanga and lived in Esther Park, next to Kempton Park.
His memorial service was held on Thursday last week, where many taxi association members came to pay their last respects.
Mr Sidu is survived by 10 children, five boys and five girls, sisters, brothers and other family members. He was laid to rest in Mpumalanga on Saturday last week.
