Recalling the echoing of gunshots ringing out through the farmlands in the Kwa Manzini area on Sunday afternoon, a neighbour spoke about the fatal shooting of Klipriver Taxi Association deputy chairperson Mangweni Samson ‘Skoroza’ Hlatshwayo.
“I heard the shooting from my house. The first two shots were very loud. Then a burst of automatic gunfire kicked in. A second or two later, there was another burst of automatic fire, then silence.
“I jumped into my vehicle and contacted the police to advise that I had heard gunfire and to please send a vehicle. I said I would report back once I had found the problem.
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“On arriving at the scene, I was met by a neighbour who had also heard the gunshots.”
Skoroza’s vehicle was idling in front of a gate and the gate was open.
“At least 20m further on, one could make out a body lying on the dirt road. We walked up to the body, using a cell-phone as light. I could confirm that it was my neighbour who had been shot.
“Looking around, we noticed a number of live rounds used by high-powered rifles and some spent handgun shells.
“I contacted the SAPS once again and gave them an update, only to have the police arrive 38 minutes after making the second call. I was in a state of shock, as I knew the deceased well. What was also upsetting was that the SAPS took their time to respond.”
It is believed that the shooting is linked to the ongoing taxi conflict between the Klipriver Taxi Association and Sizwe Taxi Association.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan, Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG) officers responded to the call of the shooting in the Kwa Manzini area and were on scene within 10 minutes. W/O Khan adds that it is common knowledge that CIG officers work in civilian clothes, therefore the community would not be in a position to identify them as police officers.
“Though our Visible Policing officers took a while to respond, the scene was already being preserved by the CIG officers present. It forms part of police officers’ duty to ascertain the condition of a person who has been involved in any type of trauma and arrange the relevant medical attention. Therefore, the officers went to the deceased immediately to do the same,” concludes W/O Khan.
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