A routine morning taxi ride turned into a scene of horror on Friday (July 11) when a gunman opened fire inside a taxi in Bhekuzulu (Ghetto), killing one man and injuring a female passenger.
The victim, identified as 25-year-old Xolani Shabalala, was fatally shot during the early morning commute. According to witnesses, two gunshots rang out, followed by the sudden opening of the taxi’s sliding door. An unidentified man reportedly leapt from the vehicle and ran towards a nearby car, which then sped away.
Shabalala fell out of the taxi and was declared dead at the scene. He sustained gunshot wounds to the hand and under the neck. A woman passenger, seated next to the driver, also leapt from the vehicle and was later found with a gunshot wound to her buttock.
Police officers said, “We recovered money and drugs from the deceased’s body,” fuelling speculation around the motive for the attack.
The incident has left the Bhekuzulu community shaken. Many residents, on their way to work at the time, expressed shock and outrage at the brazen daylight shooting.
Police are continuing their investigation and have not yet confirmed any arrests.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.