Ivory Park taxi owner shot dead

Ivory Park police are following leads to arrest more suspects for the murder of a taxi owner who was fatally shot and killed.

This follows after a 39-year-old man was arrested for the murder in Ivory Park Ext 2 shortly after the incident took place on 13 May. According to the police, the deceased – who owned taxis operating under the local Ivory Park Taxi Association – sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his upper body.

“The victim had been shot multiple times at close range. Local police on a routine patrol heard gunshots and immediately rushed in that direction. Upon their arrival at the scene, one of the alleged shooters was covertly pointed out to the police,” said a spokesperson for the Ivory Park Police Station, Captain Bernard Matimulane.

Matimulane said after the alleged shooter saw the police, he fled the scene on foot. “The agile constable on duty caught up with the perpetrator and he was found in possession of a licensed firearm with 10 rounds of live ammunition. He admitted having fired five shots.”

Matimulane added that police were convinced that the killers went all out to murder the 38-year-old victim judging by the number of gunshots heard, the proximity of the victim to the alleged shooters and the multiple gunshot wounds he sustained. More than ten cartridges were recovered at the scene. The victim was taken to a hospital and declared dead on arrival.

Ivory Park acting station commander Colonel Baba Mpotoane thanked the community for assisting in identifying the suspect. He also thanked the police involved in the arrest for their bravery and swift response.

“All the information at our disposal shall be thoroughly followed in order to establish the motive for the murder. We are positive that the other suspect in the shooting will be arrested soon,” said Mpotoane.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court soon.

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