The chief operating officer of a security company, Okkie Nel, was shot at while voluntarily patrolling the Quellerina area for suspicious activity during the morning hours of Saturday 29 March.
Nel said that both himself and the volunteers he regularly works with are currently patrolling because of a gang’s return to the area. According to him, a certain gang that was active in the area in 2013 have returned. So, said Nel, he gathered his volunteers and had a short briefing just after midnight on Friday night 28 March. Volunteers split up, and Nel and his partner starting driving towards their assigned area.
“It is only my luck that while I am on the lookout for these suspects, I basically drive into them!”
Nel came across two suspects while driving on Nuweveld Avenue at around 1.25 am.
“They were clearly surprised by my vehicle and the next minute, they fired shots towards my vehicle from a 10 metre distance.
“My partner ducked under the dashboard and luckily, I was able to retaliate by firing my own pistol.”
Nel gave chase as the suspects ran away but lost sight of them as they escaped through an open veld near the N1. The pair could not report any injuries but Nel’s unmarked vehicle was hit by one of the bullets, damaging a side panel. Nel and his partner later picked up tools that the suspects had dropped and pointed out that they are commonly used to break into a house.
“I’d advise residents to steer clear of these suspicious characters as they seem to have been anxious and were quick to draw their weapons and fire shots without cause.”
Thank God they are ok!