Eyewitnesses describe the shootout between hitmen and private security in Noordwyk

“It was like watching a movie while trying to run for cover.” These were the words of eyewitnesses who saw the Noordwyk shooting incident which allegedly involved three hitmen and private security guards of two taxi bosses.

The shooting, on August 20, took place on the corner of Olifantsfontein and Lever roads in Midrand around 15:30.

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According to one witness, who is a street vendor and requested not to be named when talking to the paper on August 24, the shooting was so unexpected, and everyone had to run for cover and hide to save their lives from stray bullets.

“The robbers and the security guys exchanged fire for about 15 to 30 minutes before they fled. One guy we work with here was hit by a bullet in the mouth and luckily did not die. It was like watching a movie as some motorists left their cars and looked for a safe place to hide,” said the witness.

He said the shooting happened during traffic congestion caused by a traffic light that was not working at that intersection.

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Another eyewitness added that the taxi owners managed to escape, hitting a streetlight in the process.

He said, “the way this shooting happened; the robbers were driving a Toyota Hilux bakkie but I could not see the model as I was fearing for my life. I even lost count of the gunshots I heard during the shootout because everything happened so quickly while we were trying to run for cover.”

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said one hit-man was arrested.

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