Hitchhiking: Taxi driver shot in Polokwane
The swift response of the taxi community and the police recently led to the arrest of a suspect who shot a driver in Polokwane before fleeing to Mokopane.
POLOKWANE – On November 16, the victim was busy with routine patrols along the R101 when he and a colleague spotted a white Toyota Avanza loading hitchhikers at a popular hiking spot.
When the duo tried to speak to the Avanza driver, he fled and a chase ensued.
Also read: Stop hitchhiking and putting your life in danger- Taxi association urges
“We called for back-up and tried to follow him as fast as we could. We were a few kilometers out of town when we managed to stop him, but as we were walking towards his car, he produced a firearm and shot my colleague in the foot,” the driver told Polokwane Observer.
The two drivers then alerted other taxi drivers with a description of the driver, the vehicle and the direction in which it was headed.
“When the driver got to Mokopane, our people were waiting for him and he was taken to the Mahwelereng Police Station, but the case was opened at the Westenburg Police Station.”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect stopped next to the weighbridge, 8km south of Polokwane and produced his firearm.
“The suspect was arrested and appeared in court on November 18 on a charge of attempted murder.”
Read more: A hitch-hiker’s perspective: ‘It is not a choice but a necessity’
