Tension between allegedly the Greater Krugersdorp Taxi Association (GKTA) and Dobsonville Roodepoort Leratong Johannesburg Taxi Association (Dorljota) has erupted in violence on the morning of 10 September at approximately 7.30am.
While cars were backed up in the peak morning traffic, a GTKA taxi allegedly was driving in the left lane towards Johannesburg. Shortly before the Ontdekkers Road and CR Swart Road intersection three gunmen appeared from shrubs next to the road and opened fire on the taxi. The driver abandoned his taxi while it was still moving and fled. One of the female passengers of the taxi who panicked and tried to flee was shot in the stomach. She was taken to hospital by ER24, which was on the scene first.
Various other motorists sustained mild injuries as they tried to hide or when they backed into other vehicles in an attempt to escape the rain of bullets. A plain-clothes policeman whose private bakkie was hit twice had to be taken to hospital after suffering severe shock. Another motorist sustained a mild neck injury.
According to Roodepoort SAPS spokesperson Constable Vincent Mashiteng, 10 shots were fired. Cartridges of both 9mm and .45 calibre firearms were found on the scene.
Witnesses told the Record that the gunmen fled towards Roodepoort in a Toyota Corolla and that the vehicle was branded with Dorljota’s logo. This could not be confirmed.
Dorljota spokesperson Zeblon Simelane said he could not comment on the incident. He told the Record that the side of CR Swart Road on Ontdekkers Road where the shooting took place is GKTA turf. He also told the Record that the previous day two of his drivers were gunned down at the Leratong Hospital Rank by members of GTKA.
Once again members of the private security sector and neighbourhood watch had to regulate the traffic as JMPD only arrived an hour and a half after the shooting.
