KFC drive-thru shooter to appear in court this week

A 45-year-old is set to appear in the New Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after he allegedly shot a pregnant KFC employee at a drive-thru in Zwide, Eastern Cape.

The shooting took place at the fast food outlet on Koyana Street earlier this month.

“On 13 January 2025, at approximately 11:15 pm, a 35-year-old KFC employee, who is four months pregnant, was shot through the drive-thru window by a male suspect,” explained police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge.

Despite being wounded in the stomach, the unborn child was unharmed and the woman is in a stable condition.

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In court over KFC shooting

An attempted murder case was opened, which led to the man being arrested a week later in Kwazakele.

He appeared at the New Brighton Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, 22 January, with a formal bail application scheduled for Tuesday, 28 January.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, praised the police for the swift arrest.

“Crimes against our women and children, along with violent offences involving firearms, remain a top priority in our fight against crime.

“This incident deeply disturbed both the community and our police members. The suspect’s arrest is a crucial step in ensuring justice is served,” said Ncata.

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McDonald’s drive-thru shooting

The shooting happened days after a similar incident at a McDonald’s restaurant in Gauteng killed a six-year-old boy.

The child was hit by a bullet while seated in a car with his parents at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Brickfield, Meadowdale.

It is understood a suspect robbed the boy’s family while they were in the drive-thru line, and then fired a shot at their car before telling them to drive off.

The bullet hit the child seated in the car and he died after being rushed to hospital.

Two of the shooter’s accomplices were robbing the McDonald’s store at the time and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Police launched a manhunt for the three people involved in the shooting, and a case of murder and business robbery was opened.

Spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi told The Citizen on Sunday that there is no update on the case.

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