Taxi driver on the run after shooting

Yesterday, a stray bullet which was meant for a taxi driver who allegedly opened fire at a metro police officer, accidentally hit a passenger who was sitting in the back-seat of another taxi at the Baragwanath taxi rank, in Diepkloof.

JMPD superintendent Wayne Minaar said, “The shooting took place during a high impact operation of police, EMPD and JMPD, as part of marking the commencement of Transport Month at major taxi ranks.

“The officers were guiding the taxis into the rank in order to search them, when allegedly a taxi driver who didn’t have number plates fired two shots at metro police.”

“The officer drew a gun and fired one shot, which accidentally hit the woman.

“The passenger was rushed to the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital and is still receiving medical attention,” said Minaar.

“I saw five taxis driving dangerously, turning single lanes into double lanes,” said Mlungisi Sibeko, a bystander.

He said, “Afterwards, I saw a white empty Siyaya taxi driving at a high speed, closely followed by a metro police vehicle.

“The empty taxi overtook another taxi which had passengers.

“The officer must have been aiming for the tyre of the empty taxi, when he mistakenly shot the taxi with passengers.”

Bara Meadowlands Taxi Association representative Enock Tshivhase said, “Police must investigate the police on their side because they are the ones that started the operation.

“We cannot say we are the ones that caused this because we just saw what happened in the morning.”

“No one has been arrested, as the taxi driver is still at large and the case is being investigated,” Minaar said.

@scoobieW