Taxi owner shot 20 times
The motive for the killing is unknown, although it is believed to have stemmed from taxi violence.
Taxi violence took a murderous turn when a taxi owner was shot and killed last Thursday morning.
The 38-year-old victim was shot more than 20 times while talking on the phone at the Madadeni Section 6 taxi rank, just metres from where his father stood waiting.
Reports indicate the victim was close to his car and managed to grab his gun.
After his son collapsed, the victim’s father grabbed the pistol and returned fire, hitting the unidentified gunman in the shoulder, before he himself sustained a bullet wound to the leg.
A Volvo then appeared to whisk the gunman to safety.
It was during the pursuit of this vehicle a SAPS van ploughed into the wall of the Newcastle Inn that same morning, slewing off the road at the intersection of Victoria Road and Allen Street.
The SAPS officials inside were not permitted to speak with the press, but were unharmed.
It is believed two occupants of the GP-registration Volvo were hit by gunfire, while SAPS detectives have recovered 25 pistol cartridges at the scene of the shooting.
The motive for the killing is still uncertain, although speculation states it was linked to ongoing taxi violence.
