A wave of shock and outrage has swept through the Somerset West community following the brutal murder of a 42-year-old Lesotho foreign national, who was shot multiple times on his way to work early on Monday morning (7 October) in an apparent hit.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was gunned down in broad daylight on Lourensford Road near the intersection with Main Road during peak morning traffic around 07:00. He was walking along the sidewalk, carrying a backpack and on his way to work at the time.
According to a police report three armed men opened fire on the unsuspecting man and fled on foot before jumping into a vehicle to escape.
Despite the swift response of emergency services, the victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
“The motive for this attack is now the subject of a police investigation,” said Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, spokesperson for the provincial police.
Shocked motorists were jaw-dropped as they passed the scene and many took to social media to express the horror of such an incident.
Some reported that the suspects casually walked towards a car after the shooting and appeared to be calm and professional.
The Somerset West Serious and Violent Crime Detectives are urging the public to come forward with any information that may lead to an arrest.
- Call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
