At about 12.45pm on Monday, April 13, the alleged thug pointed his gun at an unsuspecting motorist’s face and demanded money.
According to Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson, Sgt Mashudu Phathela, the victim got a puncture on the road between Ramaphosa and Reiger Park and pulled over to replace the damaged tyre.
That’s when the robber, who was walking on a path, approached the driver and offered to help him replace the tyre.
While in the process of replacing the tyre, the motorist found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.
The motorist was, however, not prepared to give up his belongings easily.
“Instead of handing over his wallet, the motorist put his life on the line by reaching for the thug’s gun, and that’s when a struggle ensued between the two men.
“During the struggle, a shot went off and the bullet struck the robber in the groin. It’s unclear if the shot was fired
accidentally, or if the robber fired it to scare the victim,” said Phathela.
The thug did not, however, flee after he was shot, but insisted that the motorist hand over money.
“The motorist eventually surrendered and gave the robber his wallet, containing more than R400.
It was only then that the gunman fled towards the nearby shacks in road reserve at Ramaphosa.
“The injured robber entered a yard about 200m from from the scene, where he fell and died.”
The victim’s wallet was recovered from his pocket, but the firearm was not found.
His body was taken to Germiston State Mortuary. The mugging victim was not injured in the incident.
Police did not charge the victim over the incident, but the death of the alleged robber is being investigated.
