The second shooting in less than a week marks a concerning rise in business robberies in Middelburg. In the latest incident a man walked himself to hospital after being shot during a hijacking in OR Tambo Street in the CBD.

The hijacker and a woman, drove off with the victim’s Toyota double cab, while the victim made a beeline for the police station.

After reporting the hijacking to police, the victim walked to Life Midmed Hospital for treatment.

The victim took the double cab’s keys with him, resulting in the bakkie stalling on the corner of Wes- and SADC Streets, where it was recovered.

It was the second shooting that occurred in town. Sam Nyambo (31) tragically lost his life earlier this week.

Nyambo was shot once in the head by an armed robber at Toscana takeaways, where he was waiting in line to pay for his food.

The murder marked a sharp resurgence of business robberies since lockdown has been fully suspended.

The Middelburg Observer tried to get more information from the provincial SAPS, who did not respond to the urgent request for information.

The local SAPS is no longer allowed to liaise with the media, resulting in under reporting of crime.

Residents claim that Middelburg has become a gangster’s paradise with foreign owned businesses being targeted by a gang of robbers.