Three men accused of murdering well-known motor-racing driver Robert Wolk appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where the state revealed an alleged plot to kill four employees at an unidentified company, Wolk among them.
Khotso Richard Mashao, Hlangananani Shezi and Muziwethu Mthethwa face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Wolk, 41, was shot dead in Esther Park on 16 September after his vehicle was struck by a blue Volkswagen Jetta. He was declared dead at the scene. CCTV captured the subsequent shooting, with footage of the incident since circulating widely online. Information gathered at the scene indicated that Wolk’s Audi had collided with a Volkswagen Jetta.
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He reportedly got out of his vehicle to assess the damage before an argument allegedly broke out. Video footage circulating on social media appears to show Wolk speaking to the other driver before a firearm is produced where he was fatally shot.
Hired to kill
The state alleged that Mashao had been hired to kill four people employed at the said company, and that he in turn recruited Shezi and Mthethwa to help carry out the killings.
When the three arrived at the company that day, however, only Wolk was present. The other three intended targets were not at work.
According to the state, the accused followed Wolk after he left the premises and rammed his vehicle in Esther Park. When Wolk stopped to investigate the collision, the occupants of the blue Jetta opened fire and took his cellphone.
Acting on information from an informer, the Ekurhuleni metro police department task team tracked down and arrested Mashao. Mthethwa was arrested later, allegedly found in possession of the blue Jetta believed to have been used in the shooting.
The court heard the vehicle had been hijacked on 15 August, when its original owner was shot seven times in the stomach. A firearm and ammunition were recovered during the operation. All three accused remain in custody.
The matter was postponed to Tuesday after Shezi and Mthethwa, who had no legal representation, requested time to consult lawyers. Mashao, who is legally represented, asked that the bail application be postponed to 2 October.
