Cape Town – Police in Calcutta, Mpumalanga, are actively pursuing assailants responsible for the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old truck driver on the R40 Road in Marite, near Hazyview.
The incident, described as “heartbreaking”, occurred when the truck, carrying dairy products and driven by the victim, was ambushed by approximately four to five armed suspects who emerged from the roadside with firearms.
The assailants attempted to stop the truck, leading to a confrontation.
“The driver as well as two of his crew members were driving along the R40 Road in a truck, heading towards Bushbuckridge for a delivery.
“As they were passing through Marite, next to a certain filling station, it is alleged that approximately four to five armed suspects emerged from the roadside with firearms,” Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.
#sapsMP Truck driver fatally shot in Marite on 26/09, dairy products looted from truck by local community. A case was opened with a count of murder and robbery. A team of investigators has already been assembled to probe this incident. #TrioCrimes #CrimeStop #MySAPSApp ME… pic.twitter.com/2wJhMFIEn8
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 27, 2023
During the commotion, the truck driver made a U-turn, but the assailants fired multiple shots, fatally hitting the driver. The truck eventually crashed into a tree. While the driver succumbed to his injuries, two crew members sustained slight injuries.
“Further information indicates that the suspects began firing shots towards the truck. Unfortunately, the driver was hit by the hail of bullets and the truck came to a halt after bumping into a tree after losing control as the driver was shot,” said Mohlala.
Tragically, some members of the community chose to loot the dairy products from the truck rather than assist the injured crew members.
“During this incident some members of the public allegedly looted dairy products that were inside the truck in spite of the victim’s body lying behind the steering wheel,” said Mohlala.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene, and the deceased driver was identified as Petros Jay Magagula from Matsulu.
A case has been opened, including charges of murder and robbery, and a team of investigators has been formed to probe the incident.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
