Family speaks out after being shot at by security near Louis Trichardt

Quick read

• A 28-year-old woman is recovering after being shot near Louis Trichardt on Friday night (around 21:30).

• She was a passenger in a hatchback driven by her uncle, Phathutshedzo Mukwevho, travelling from Gauteng.

• Two unmarked vehicles blocked and pursued them near the R578 (Elim road) circle, prompting fears of a hijacking.

• As Mukwevho tried to flee and u-turn, one of the vehicles blocked them again near Sinthumule.

• Alleged private security personnel then opened fire, injuring the woman, who later underwent surgery.

• Mukwevho said he was with his wife, children and niece, and that the trauma has left the family shaken.

• Full story below

Full story

LIMPOPO – A 28-year-old woman is still recovering from injuries she sustained when members of what is suspected to be a private security company opened fire on her uncle’s vehicle near Louis Trichardt on Friday evening at around 21:30.

According to the vehicle’s owner, Phathutshedzo Mukwevho from Biaba, he was travelling from Gauteng with his wife, children and niece when the incident occurred.

Read more: Security guard arrested after N1 shooting near Louis Trichardt

He said that as he approached the circle leading to the R578 (Elim road), two unmarked vehicles – one in front of him and one behind – stopped him. Fearing an attempted hijacking, he drove off toward Polokwane on the N1. The two vehicles apparently gave chase.

As Mukwevho attempted a u-turn back towards Louis Trichardt, he said the vehicles continued to pursue him. Upon reaching the circle again, one vehicle blocked his path.

He turned in the direction of Sinthumule, and that is when the private security personnel allegedly started shooting at his car.

“I jumped out of the vehicle and surrendered. I was with my wife, children, and my niece who started crying from pain, and when we checked on her, she was bleeding,” Mukwevho told CV.

Another security company reportedly arrived on the scene and called the police and an ambulance.

Mukwevho said he was traumatised by the experience, especially since the pursuing cars were unbranded, which made him believe they were hijackers.

The family rushed his niece to the hospital, where she underwent surgery to remove the bullets.

“This whole ordeal has affected us deeply. We’re seeing a psychologist,” said Mukwevho.

A police report confirmed that the family was travelling in a hatchback, when approached by an unmarked vehicle and that the driver did not stop, suspecting potential danger.

A 42-year-old man, identified as a security officer with a local private security firm, was arrested at the scene. Police confiscated a Siga 7.62 rifle believed to have been used during the shooting.

Provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe condemned the incident, saying the law should take its course.

The suspect appeared in the Makhado Magistrate’s Court on Monday but the outcome of the court proceedings was unknown at the time of publishing.

In the meantime, Mukwevho said he intends to take legal action: “My car is riddled with bullet holes. This cannot go unchallenged.”