Honeydew police officers are looking for those responsible for killing a 57-year-old businessman in Roodepoort, Gauteng, yesterday.

The successful businessman was travelling on Handicap Road just after 07:30 on Monday when he encountered two gunmen as he pulled up to the traffic lights on Hendrik Potgieter Road. The assailants opened fire, piercing the shatterproof glass and door of his white Land Rover, before leaving the scene as the victim attempted to drive away.

According to statements taken by police at the scene, the businessman had just dropped his three children off at school and was returning home. Witnesses allege the two armed suspects were hiding behind a dustbin at the traffic lights before approaching the victim’s vehicle. Police report that 10 shots were fired from a 9mm pistol and it is believed that the suspects had a Hyundai I20 parked on the main road which they used to flee the scene.

Even after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, the victim was able to drive several hundred meters but the man’s injuries would prove to be too severe. His Land Rover would come to rest in a flower bed meters from Hendrik Potgieter Road where heartbroken family members would gather less than an hour later.

Honeydew police spokesperson Captain Balan Muthan confirmed the incident is being treated as a possible assassination.

It was initially stated by a witness that a charcoal Hyundai was used by the suspects but that has been ruled out after the owner of said vehicle flagged the claim. Should anyone have any information on the possible getaway vehicle or the two unidentified suspects, contact Honeydew police as soon as possible.

Honeydew police station number: 011 801 8400.

• Please note that this article has been amended since it was first published.