Taxi drivers, passenger shot in another Boschkop road-trap incident

At least three men were injured when two minibus taxis were shot at during an apparent robbery in Boschkop on Wednesday evening.

The shooting happened after the vehicles encountered rocks that had been placed on a road under construction near Skierlik informal settlement.

The two vehicles were travelling on the road linking the R104 (old Bronkhorstspruit road) to Mahube Valley, Mamelodi East, when they encountered rocks at around 21:00, two kilometres away from the Skierlik informal settlement.

Boschkop police station spokesperson Sergeant Yeroboam Mbatsane said the two vehicles were ambushed and shots were fired by a group of six men who came out of the dark bushes while one of passengers was removing the rocks.

“One of the drivers suffered gunshot wounds to his hand, while the other had minor injuries from broken glasses. Only one passenger was injured.

“Personal belongings including cellphones, cash ID books and driver’s licences were stolen by the robbers,” said Mbatsane.

“We have launched a manhunt for six suspects. Various law enforcement agencies have been deployed to monitor the situation for 24 hours.

“After those that were involved in the incident get discharged from hospital we will also get more information.”

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Mbatsane said the incident was not related to the spiking incidents which have affected Pretoria roads.

“That road is not yet complete and it was closed by the contractors. The road closure signs and barricades placed by contractors were removed and motorists started using the road.

“Some people do not even know that the road is closed.”

Mbatsane said robbers then placed rocks on the road to trap motorists who drove there.

Police urged residents who would like to assist with information to contact 012 802 4049.

Motorists around Pretoria have been suffering from road-trap related incidents over the past few years.

These incidents at times left motorists injured from gunshots fired at them.

On the evening of January 25, a motorist travelling on the R104 was shot at.

The BMW vehicle hit spikes that were placed on the road and lost control. When the driver and two occupants tried to get out of the car to check the cause of the accident, one was shot and wounded.

All the occupants of the car were robbed of their belongings.