Klarinet man escapes night shootout with gunmen in bakkie
Police urge the public to avoid late night walks and travel in groups where possible.
A late night walk home turned into a terrifying shootout for a man who had just missed a ride to an initiation school.
According to the police, a man from Klarinet Extension 3 said on May 10, around 22:50, he had been waiting for a transport that would take him to a local initiation school. However, after realising that the transport was no longer coming, he said he was forced to go back home.
While walking back, he said he was approached by a bakkie which stopped abruptly next to him and someone from inside shouted telling him to run away. As he ran, he suddenly heard firearm shots behind him, and reportedly took out his firearm and retaliated with two shots. The man told the police that he continued to run until he reached a passage near the stadium, still exchanging shots with the man from the bakkie.
He eventually succeeded in reaching his home unharmed, only to later receive news about a person who had been hijacked and was shot.
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The SAPS urges residents to be vigilant and take precautions when walking at night.
“Safety advice includes avoiding walking alone, staying alert while waiting for transport, limiting the use of mobile phones in public, travelling in groups where possible, and avoiding displaying valuables,” SAPS advised.
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— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) May 26, 2026
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