Zimbabwean man killed in brutal hit-and-run in Rivonia

Gruesome, shocking, brutal, a callous murder.

This was how witnesses described the death over the weekend of a Zimbabwean foreign national in Rivonia, who was run over several times by a Ford Ranger bakkie.

With no police presence during the incident at the intersection of Autumn Road and 12th Avenue, the perpetrator escaped.

Murder case opened

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said yesterday a case of murder was opened for further investigation.

“No-one has been arrested yet and all leads to trace the suspect are being followed,” said Nevhuhulwi.

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Witnesses said the incident occurred at about 4pm and the victim was Emmanuel Mahamba from Zimbabwe.

Sandton police station officers arrived about 20 minutes later to take statements from witnesses.

One alleged the incident stemmed from “a dispute over a woman”.

Communications and brand expert Sarah Britten said she was driving up 12th Avenue towards Rivonia Road when she saw a dark grey bakkie at the intersection of Autumn Road and 12th Avenue.

‘Bakkie driving over pedestrian’

“I slowed for a red light – noticing to my shock and horror that the bakkie was driving over a pedestrian,” said Britten.

“It literally bounced over him with both sets of tyres, before speeding off across Rivonia Road. I could not believe what I was seeing. I got out of my car and locked it,” she added.

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“I had my nine-year-old daughter with me and did not want her to know what was happening. I ran over to the victim and asked the bystanders if anyone had called the police. I tried to call an ambulance but my hands were shaking so much that I called my husband instead. He called Netcare 911.

‘He was alive’

“The victim, lying face down on the tarmac, was moving. He was alive. I told him an ambulance was coming.”

“I was told the victim was [a woman’s] ex-boyfriend and the perpetrator was her husband. Not sure how true this is.

“As paramedics started work on the victim, along with other bystanders I helped turn him over. They performed [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] until it was clear he could not be saved.

“The violence was shocking. I want the perpetrator brought to book,” said Britten.

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