THE man who was shot twice, once in the head, at a busy intersection in Pinetown last week Friday, 22 February, is still fighting for his life in hospital.
The family of the man, whose identity is known to the Highway Mail but has not been named to respect the wishes of those close to him, is reportedly awake and speaking, but faces further surgery and family say they have been told he is not yet, “out of the woods”.
Meanwhile, two witnesses have described the scene at the busy intersection of Otto Volek Drive and Shepstone Road on Friday morning as “surreal,” especially the demeanour of the shooter.
“He was just so calm, he got out of the taxi and shot the old man twice, then calmly got back into his taxi and drove off,” the first witness told the Highway Mail.
Both witnesses have requested that they not be named for fear of reprisals.
Police at Pinetown SAPS are investigating a charge of attempted murder against the taxi driver who allegedly left the scene after allegedly shooting the elderly man in his head and groin.
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“He may have technically fled the scene, but he didn’t seem at all disturbed by having just shot the man,” said the second witness, who added that the driver of the taxi had actually taken his first shot at the bakkie of the elderly man while the two vehicles were still moving.
“When they stopped, the man in the bakkie got out to confront the taxi driver for shooting at him,” said the witness who was at the time in a vehicle less than 20 metres away from the taxi.
“The driver of the taxi stopped, and calmly got out and shot the man twice, then walked around his taxi, got back in, and drove away as if nothing had happened.”
Both witnesses have reported that the taxi was full of passengers.
“I can’t imagine how traumatised those people must be to have been there and seen what they did,” said the first witness who reported feeling quite shocked by witnessing such an incident.
“I have seen a shooting before, but the calmness of the shooter in this instance was just so chilling.”
According to SAPS Pinetown Cluster communications officer, Captain Bongumusa Manqele, the case is being investigated by Det Sgt Sugar Sosibo.
“Anyone with information can contact the detective on 031 325 5074 or by calling the crime stop tip-off number, 060010111,” said Manquele.
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