Four drivers were caught in the crossfire of a shooting on the R37 near the Mashishing intersection on February 12.

The shooting was allegedly linked to a tender dispute.

Police said businessmen from Mataffin allegedly blocked Raubex Group from collecting concrete at a construction site near the intersection, claiming they were entitled to a share of the work.

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A shoot-out then broke out, and four other vehicles, a Ford Ranger, a Nissan NP200, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class and a Toyota Fortuner, were also hit.

Louis Welman, the driver of a Toyota Fortuner, told Lowvelder he was travelling alone from Pretoria to Mbombela via the N4 when he noticed suspicious activity near the R37 intersection.

As he tried to see what was happening, a bullet shattered his front windscreen and exited through the rear window of the vehicle.

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“After that, I heard several more gunshots. All I wanted to do was leave the area for my safety. As soon as the gunfire stopped, I immediately drove away. I didn’t see exactly what was happening or who fired the shots. It was my first time driving on that road, and I will never use it again,” Welman said.

He added that the experience was terrifying, particularly seeing the physical damage to his car where the bullet had passed through.

He has since opened a case at the Nelspruit Police Station.

Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said both parties involved in the shooting have withdrawn their cases.

“The case has been closed by the investigating officer, and the court will decide whether the matter requires further investigation,” she said.