Members of the Zello application group Witbank 911 gathered outside the court on Tuesday, March 24 when Mr Bruce Kirton, director and head of operations of Witbank 911, appeared in B-Court on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and also discharging of a firearm in a municipal area.
Kirton, known as Bravo Kilo 1 over the Zello application, said he was among the group that gathered at their rendezvous point in Mandela Street, when a commotion at the nearby N4 Route Total garage attracted their attention on Saturday, March 21 just after 23:00.
“We did not want to get involved and watched as what seems to be an argument broke out between a motorist and the staff at the garage,” Kirton said.
He said the next moment a man jumped into his Range Rover and came speeding in their direction.
“Johandri de Beer was standing with my three-year-old daughter and the driver just missed them as he came past. Johandri threw herself and my daughter into their vehicle,” Kirton said.
He said everything seemed to be in slow-motion as the driver then almost drove over three members of Witbank 911, who sat drinking cold drink. The driver then apparently drove over another member’s foot and came to a standstill.
“We got the driver out and the whole situation exploded,” Kirton said.
Mr Gerald Mashego, the driver of the Range Rover, said he just can’t come to terms with the events on Saturday night.
The 46-year-old man was on a visit to eMalahleni and he said he does not know the area well as he hails from Pretoria.
“I came to visit my brother who stays in Lynnville. Later the evening we decided to go to a friend’s house. It was then that I realized it was getting late and I decided to head home. I had to however first stop to put petrol in my car,” Mashego said.
He said he became upset when the garage’s Speedpoint was not working, the doors leading into the convenience store were closed, and he had to pay for the petrol through a little window using his bank card.
“I was not happy with the fact that the staff wanted to take my card. I never let my card out of my sight. I asked if one of them would ride with me so I can draw the money and pay, but they did not want to reason. An argument broke out and I was furious at the attendants,” Mashego said.
He said when they were busy yelling at one another, a group of people came in their direction.
“I knew immediately we were going to be attacked so I jumped into my vehicle and switched it on. In all the haste I took the wrong direction and instead of exiting I drove in the direction where the group had gathered a few 100 feet away. A tow-in vehicle blocked me and I tried my best to flee,” Mashego said as emotions broke through his voice.
The group of people allegedly dragged Mashego out of his vehicle, handcuffed him and started beating and kicking him.
“I begged them in Afrikaans, I pleaded and said ‘Ek vra om verskoning, asseblief ek is jammer…”
He said he remembers the sound of his vehicle’s window breaking and he knew someone was shooting.
“I did not know where the bullets were coming from or going. I just saw the faces of my wife and my two sons in front of my eyes. I did not want to die, I have so much to live for.”
Mashego said another man came to his aid, shoved him in his bakkie and asked the group to calm down.
When the police arrived they eventually uncuffed Mashego.
“I drove my vehicle to the police station. I was in shock not believing what had just happened to me,” he said.
The next morning Mashego discovered pieces of a bullet in his golf bag.
“I do not hate, I am shocked as to how people can react when emotions are fuelled by anger,” he said.
Kirton was released on R1 000 bail and his next court appearance will be on June 17.
The management of the N4 Route Total was unaware of the incident and did not want to comment.
