UPDATE: Three arrested for fatal shootout on K101

9 October, 7.30pm:

The South African Police services confirmed on Twitter that three suspects were arrested and charged with murder following a shootout between taxi association owners that left one bystander dead on the morning of 9 October. The incident took place on Old Pretoria Road (K101).

Provincial police launched a manhunt for the suspects, and they were arrested at Midrand Taxi Rank at around 7pm on 9 October

@SAPoliceServices said the three suspects would appear at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on 13 October.

It is unclear whether police are still looking for more suspects at this time.

This story has been updated. Please read the latest here:

Gauteng Transport Minister speaks out on taxi shooting

Suspects in Midrand shooting to appear in court

9 October, 4pm:

*This update contains graphic information*

The woman who was driving a white Toyota Tazz, when her friend was shot dead by a stray bullet from a shootout between taxi drivers, screamed, “God help me!” as she entered the boom gate of a nearby mosque.

According to the security guard Fasieg Dollie, who was on duty on the morning of 9 October, it was a normal day until he saw the two women trying to enter their boom gate.

“We saw blood on the neck of the [passenger]. We opened for her and she parked and came out the car and started screaming ‘God help me’,” said Dollie.

He also said the police made their way to the scene within 30 minutes of being called. The wait however was unbearable as the lady who was the driver, was wounded on her shoulder.

According to Dollie, the deceased was shot in the head and there was no indication of life as they waited for emergency services to arrive.

Midrand Reporter has received unconfirmed reports that the two associations involved in the shooting this morning were the Ivory Park association and the Alexandra association. We will confirm this information as soon as possible.

Watch the video of Dollie describing what he experienced during the incident. (We apologise for the poor sound quality.)

9 October, 3pm:

Midrand Reporter’s social media has been abuzz with people reacting to this morning’s senseless killing on a woman caught in the crossfire of a shoot out while on her way to work.

On Facebook Pippa Hunt posted: “Our dear friend and colleague lost her life in this mess this morning!”

While Kotie Van Waardhuizen told of how she narrowly missed being involved in the shooting. “I was just passing the robot when the first rock went flying. All of a sudden guys where running and jumping on bakkies in front of me. The next moment shots were fired. I feel so sorry for the person that was killed; it could of been me.”

“Every morning and every afternoon, its a big problem on the K101. The taxis drive where they want, on the wrong side up the wrong way. The traffic officers have no authority over them, the taxis just ignore them. Some days it takes me over 45 mins to cross the K101,” said Lisa Rankin Venter.

Following the incident provincial police arrived on the scene. Here is a video of Provincial Police Spokesperson, Captain Augustinah Selepe, giving on the shootout between taxi owners on the K101:

9 October, 12pm:

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Augustinah Selepe, has confirmed that a 39-year-old passenger of a white Toyota Tazz at the scene of the shootout between taxi owners, was shot and killed by a stray bullet; and the 45-year-old driver was injured while they were on their way to work. 

Selepe said the driver of the Tazz tried to escape from the scene on the K101 at the intersection of Le Roux Road by driving into the grounds of a nearby church.

She said police were unsure which taxi associations were involved, but that a group of taxi owners were there and driving their private vehicles. The number of vehicles involved is unknown by police. 

Eyewitnesses allege that rocks were thrown by those involved in the fight, before shots were fired. Selepe said she did not know how many shots were fired. 

Those involved in the conflict then sped away, and police have launched a manhunt and warrant for their arrest.

9 October, 9am:

Provincial police are on the scene of a taxi shootout on the K101 at the intersection of Le Roux Road, opposite the Turkish mosque following an shootout allegedly between taxi drivers.

Police have blocked off the road to traffic. Midrand Reporter journalist Thandi Ntobela was on the scene. She said there were no taxis, but police had cordoned off a white car, which she thought was a Toyota Tazz.

“Three provincial police patrol cars have arrived on the scene,” said Ntobela.

An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed, “A woman was shot by a stray bullet as she was driving past the scene. She was killed.”

Another eyewitness told Ntobela that people were throwing rocks, then they heard shots but could not say how many shots were fired. She said three rocks are part of the evidence, but provincial police were not providing any information at that time.

The eyewitness claimed, “The taxi violence started yesterday but no one took much notice of it. Now this has happened. It seems to be a fight between two taxi associations.”

9 October, 8.39am:

Although still unconfirmed, an eyewitness stated that a passing motorist was shot dead after getting caught in the crossfire during the altercation. And that there were many police vehicles and ambulances on the scene.

It appears that the altercation is between rival taxi associations and has caused traffic disruptions.

Our journalist in en route. We will update the story as soon as more details become available.

For latest updates follow us on Facebook and twitter @MidrandReporter