Police are following up information in connection with the weekend murder of Sam Issa, a 51-year-old Lebanese businessman and Bedfordview resident.
The shooting occurred on Bradford and Smith roads in Bedfordview on Saturday morning. No arrests have been made, but crime scene experts have examined the scene of the fatal shooting.
The NEWS previously reported Mr Issa came under attack while travelling alone in his car. Four gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, hitting it multiple times.
Brigadier Neville Malila, the head of communications at the Gauteng SAPS media centre said, “Since the incident, the police have received information from many members of the public, including possible witnesses.”
Brig Malila said there were allegations the suspects used police-issued firearms and had blue lights on when they fled the scene. However, on Sunday the police’s elite investigative unit, Hawks, said these allegations can be ruled out.
Hawks spokesman, Captain Paul Ramaloko, said the attackers were not policemen.
“We are certain that no policemen were involved. We investigated the officer who was named and he has been cleared. Our manhunt for other suspect continues,” he said.
It is believed the victim was returning from the Mecure Hotel and had stopped at a traffic light in his Audi Q7. He was approached by a white Ford Ranger with an ND registration.
The Ford pulled up to the robot and the suspects fired shots at him. Mr Issa drove through the red light in a bid to escape. He also tried reversing to get away. His car came to a standstill on the corner on Smith Street. More than 30 rounds were found at the scene and the victim was certified dead by paramedics.
According to initial reports after the shooting, Mr Issa was described as an “associate” of Mr Radovan Krejcir, a Czech fugitive and a businessman alleged to have ties to the criminal underworld. However, Mr Krejcir denied this, and said he knew Mr Issa only as a resident of Bedfordview.
