GQEBERHA – Police are appealing to the public for information following a suspected road rage incident in which a 56-year-old man was fatally stabbed before crashing his vehicle into a wall in Lorraine, Gqeberha, on Friday evening, 23 October.

According to a statement issued by the Eastern Cape police, Walmer police are investigating a murder case following the incident which occurred in Circular Drive at approximately 20:27.

“It is alleged that the driver of a white Honda Accord was involved in a suspected road rage incident with the unknown male driver of a blue or silver SUV.

“During the altercation, the driver of the SUV allegedly stabbed the 56-year-old man. He attempted to drive further but lost control of his vehicle after travelling a short distance and crashed into a wall near the intersection of Circular Drive and Henri Botha Street. He died at the scene.”

An eyewitness, who requested to remain anonymous, said she and her husband encountered a white car travelling slowly along Henri Botha Avenue towards Circular Drive at approximately 20:15.

The witness said the vehicle had tinted windows and its hazard lights were on, prompting concern that something was wrong.

“Our immediate instinct was that something was wrong. I told my husband to go around the car, fearing it might be a hijacking attempt. We drove past the vehicle and stopped at the traffic light about three metres ahead. Moments after we stopped, we heard a crash followed by a continuous hooting sound.

“We pulled onto the pavement. My husband immediately contacted our neighbourhood watch group to request assistance and an ambulance. I ran towards the vehicle. As I reached it, I noticed blood on the outside of the driver’s door. I hesitated and shouted to my husband that something was wrong,” she said.

The eyewitness said a person from across the road then ran over to assist and opened the driver’s door.

“He opened the driver’s door, and we found the man slumped over towards the passenger seat. A large amount of blood was visible. This struck me as unusual, as the car had not been travelling at speed when it passed us.

“Within minutes, security company vehicles, an ambulance, and police arrived at the scene. The man was declared dead at the scene. A woman I understood to be his wife arrived after the police, along with other family members.”

Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help identify the driver of the blue or silver SUV to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact SAPS Walmer Detective Commander Lieutenant Colonel Estelle Edwards on 079 520 3256 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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