Alleged hospital shooter arrested

A woman who was thrown from a vehicle and shot in cold blood outside Tongaat’s Victoria Hospital on Thursday night has died.

The alleged shooter, believed to have been her lover, was arrested on Friday.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) media liaison officer Prem Balram said when their officers arrived on the scene on Thursday witnesses told them the driver of a white bakkie had stopped outside the hospital and forced Priscilla Pillay (55) out of the car. He then shot her twice and fled.

He then apparently headed for her husband’s home where he demanded the man come outside.

The next day worshippers at Tongaat’s Brake Village temple were sent running for cover when a man attempting to avoid arrest for the shooting drove his car into the building on Friday night.

“As soon as he noticed us he opened fire which we returned. A high speed chased ensued from Buffelsdale through the Tongaat CBD. I shot out both rear tyres of the vehicle and he continued driving for about six kilometres on flat tyres,” said Balram.

The man was forced to abandon his car as both tyres had come off the rim and his windscreen shattered.

“We finally caught him after having to chase him on foot. A unlicensed 9mm pistol and several rounds of ammunition was recovered in his car and we handed him to the Tongaat SAPS.”

The arrested man appeared in Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday where a group of residents held a protest in front of the court. He was released on R2000 bail.