Taxi Boss Assassinated – 10 year old shot

LOTUSVILLE – A taxi owner was assassinated and a 10 year old child was shot outside Lotusville Primary School in Lotusville. The Reaction Unit South Africa Operations Centre became inundated with calls from residents, witnesses and educators reporting rapid gunfire. Some callers informed the controller on duty that the gunfire was directed at a Toyota Hilux bakkie.

All available Reaction Officers were dispatched and arrived on scene at approximately 14:23. Officers discovered a bullet riddled silver Toyota Hilux stationary next to the entrance of the school. The driver sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. He was declared deceased by Medics.

Approximately thirty 9mm and high calibre cartridges from two different rifles were located around the deceased’s vehicle. The taxi owner’s 9mm pistol was located holstered in his waistband. He was allegedly at the school to uplift his child however this could not be confirmed.

According to witnesses, the occupants of a silver Mercedes Benz (registration unknown) were responsible for the murder. Several scholars and parents waiting to uplift their children from school fled for cover during the shooting. A 10 year old grade 5 learner was struck by a stray bullet. Some pupils sustained bruises after falling. A white Toyota Quantum crashed through the school fence during the shooting. The driver fled the scene on foot following the incident. Information received is that the taxi belonged to the deceased.