Mohale FM SIX Basotho have been killed in what police believe was an incident linked to ongoing taxi violence in South Africa. According to preliminary South African police investigations, a South African sprinter taxi was travelling from Johannesburg to Maseru Bridge on Tuesday, ferrying Basotho who were coming home when it came under heavy gunfire.
The attack occurred along the R59 near Meyerton when armed suspects opened fire on the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Eighteen other passengers sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
One of the survivors, Tankiso Pakela, told the Lesotho Times yesterday that he had travelled from Johannesburg where he had gone to collect parcels he sells and boarded the sprinter at around 14:00. He said that moments before the vehicle departed from the taxi rank, two armed men entered the taxi and sat directly behind the driver.
Mr. Pakela said they travelled for some distance until they reached Meyerton, where another vehicle with about four men suddenly appeared alongside them and opened fire. He said the taxi lost control under the barrage of bullets and rolled over while the attackers continued shooting.
Emergency services rushed the injured passengers to a nearby hospital, where six were declared dead on arrival.
Mr. Pakela said he was still in the hospital and those who were badly injured were still being treated, but said six people have already been declared dead. He said by God’s grace, he only sustained minor cuts and bruises, indicating this was a horrifying experience, but that he is grateful to be alive.
He was speaking from an undisclosed hospital for security reasons.
Meanwhile, Gauteng police have confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the shooting. South African Police Service (SAPS) Gauteng spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, said six counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a hijacked vehicle have been opened against the suspects.
