Gunfight erupts on the streets of Barberton
Two men suffering from gunshot wounds were found on the scene
BARBERTON – Chaos erupted on the streets of this picturesque town on Wednesday night when an alleged illegal gold deal went wrong. While reacting to an alarm signal at around 19:45, a response team from Hi-Tech Barberton drove into a scene resembling a Wild West movie.
Hi-Tech security officers, Janus Janse van Rensburg and Rian Prinsloo were driving in Paul Davies Street when three men opened fire on them.
One of the three had a gunshot wound, yet ran towards the donga with his two accomplices and managed to evade capture. Investigations revealed that illegal miners had been involved in a fight on Sheba Road, which runs parallel to Paul Davies Street.
“According to a resident, three men were gathered at a garden flat at 120 Sheba Road. One apparently asked loudly where his gold was,” said Janse van Rensburg. This was followed by gunshots.
When the Hi-Tech officers arrived, they discovered that the flat had been ransacked, as if someone had been looking for something.
Two men suffering from gunshot wounds were found on the scene. One had been grazed on his head by a bullet and the other had been shot in a foot. Both were taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital.
Police spokesman, Sgt Gerald Sedibe said police were investigating. At the time of going to press, police members were on their way to interview the two hospitalised men.
