Man dies in taxi after armed robbery

A MAN believed to be in his thirties died as a result of a heart attack after he and fellow taxi commuters were allegedly confronted and assaulted by armed robbers yesterday evening.

According to Garrith Jamieson, operations director of Rescue Care, around 6pm on Tuesday evening, paramedics responded to a call from Umbilo SAPS. A taxi carrying passengers had arrived at the police station requesting help after three armed men had robbed passengers.

“SAPS investigation revealed that the man had been assaulted. Paramedics assessed him on the scene but had unfortunately passed away before paramedics could arrive. He was declared deceased,” Jamieson said.

Umbilo communications officer, Captain Pumzile Makaula confirmed the man had succumbed to a heart attack.

“The taxi was on its way to town from Inanda when three men pretending to be passengers got onto the taxi. The three suspects allegedly robbed the passengers who were already in the taxi and fired a shot during the robbery but nobody was hit. Unfortunately the man died from the shock,” she said.

Umbilo police are investigating a case of armed robbery, discharging of a firearm in a public place and inquest into the death.