Three people, including an innocent bystander, were killed in a hail of bullets during an apparent hit outside the ticket offices of a bus company in Storey Street, Perridgevale, yesterday afternoon.
Two of the victims, a male and female, aged 21 and 36 years old respectively, exited the office of the bus company after purchasing tickets to Gauteng. As they left the office, they were met with a hail of bullets.
Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said that the woman collapsed close to the office, while the man ran and collapsed at the premises of a shopping centre. “An innocent bystander was also fatally shot by stray bullets as he left a supermarket on the premises. All three deceased sustained multiple gunshot wounds. It is further alleged that the suspects fled in a silver-grey Honda Civic,” Naidu explained.
She added that after the shooting, Mount Road police members spotted a silver-grey Honda Civic driving in Burt Drive, Newton Park, with no registration plates. “They followed the vehicle and as they tried to pull it over, it sped away. Approximately five males were in the vehicle. During the chase, a firearm was tossed out of the vehicle in Searle Road. The vehicle crashed into a lamppost in Neave Street in Shauderville. All five occupants got out and ran in different directions,” Naidu said.
Anti-Gang Unit members assisting the Mount Road members, spotted two males, both with firearms running across Highfield Road. The members chased after them and they were apprehended in Peddie Street, Korsten. Two firearms, a revolver and a 9mm pistol, were recovered. The vehicle was reported as hijacked in Humewood earlier during the day.
The motive for the murders is unknown at this stage and the names of the deceased are withheld until the next-of-kin are informed.
The suspects, aged 29 and 36 years, are detained on two charges of attempted murder for shooting at police officials, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and the possession of suspected stolen property.
“Detectives are probing the possible link to the murders,” she said.
Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact D/W/O Neville Gouws of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (Gang Investigation) on 082 387 5904 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. They can also visit their nearest police station. All information is strictly confidential.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) Magistrates Court soon.
Provincial police commissioner, Lt. Gen. Liziwe Ntshinga, has expressed her sadness and condolences to the families of the deceased on the brutal and senseless killing on a day that is most significant in the Christian calendar. She has also ordered that the 72-hour activation plan be implemented immediately for the arrests of the suspects.
“A team of experienced investigators is assigned to track down and arrest the suspects involved in the murders. Such cruel attacks will not be tolerated and we will not rest until these suspects are behind bars. I commend our police officers for their swift response in arresting two suspects and recovering three firearms. However, it is only a matter of time before we arrest the others,” she added.
