A violent attack near the Ehlanzeni Hostel sports ground on Tuesday, May 13, left two people dead and one critically injured after a minibus taxi was set on fire with passengers trapped inside.

According to Tembisa South SAPS, police responded to a call about a burning vehicle at the Ehlanzeni Hostel sports field.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a Toyota Quantum completely burnt out. The fire had extinguished on its own by the time they arrived.

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Inside the charred wreckage, police discovered what appeared to be the remains of two bodies, one behind the driver’s seat and another near the rear.

Captain Neldah Sekgobela from the Ekurhuleni District Police confirmed that the vehicle belonged to a local taxi owner.

“According to the taxi owner, he saw his vehicle being driven by an unknown person earlier in the day. He attempted to call his driver, but received no response.

“Later, the taxi patrol unit informed him that his vehicle was burning at the sports field,” she said.

The surviving victim alleged that while the occupants were seated inside the Quantum, they were ambushed by five armed men.

“The suspects opened fire on the passengers and then poured petrol inside the vehicle before setting it alight,” said Sekgobela.

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“One victim managed to escape the inferno and ran to a nearby clinic with a gunshot wound to the upper body. He remains in critical condition.”

Police have confirmed that the incident is being investigated as two counts of murder, one of attempted murder, and malicious damage to property.

The suspects, described as five armed males, remain at large. No arrests have been made at this stage.

The police are urging anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to come forward.

Tip-offs can be reported anonymously by contacting the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or visiting the nearest police station.