Rustenburg | Thursday
A 42-YEAR-old man from Tarlton near Krugersdorp will appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court today after allegedly firing several shots at nine passing motorists and injuring 14 people on Tuesday.
Seven people sustained gunshot wounds and seven others suffered minor injuries when the man armed with a .303 rifle, and apparently drunk, allegedly fired several shots at nine passing vehicles near the Olifantsnek Dam, 20km from Rustenburg.
The man apparently only chose vehicles carrying blacks. He is thought to have shot at nine vehicles – four minibus taxis, two trucks and three bakkies.
Police representative Captain Garwin Geldenhuys said the man parked his red Toyota Cressida on the side of the road, and allegedly started shooting at the vehicles as they passed by.
Geldenhuys said victims were taken to various hospitals and clinics in surrounding areas.
”Two of the seven victims are in a critical condition. The victims who suffered injuries from the shrapnel were treated at a hospital and discharged shortly afterwards.”
The suspect was arrested in Maanhaarand hours later. A half-drunk bottle of whisky as well as a small bible were apparently found in the car.
Geldenhuys said the man had been charged with attempted murder and was in police custody.
A rifle, ammunition, cartridges and a pair of binoculars were recovered from the man’s vehicle.
The motive for the incident was unknown but police were investigating all possibilities, Geldenhuys said.
The North West government on Wednesday night described the incident as isolated, and said they didn’t believe it was a manifestation of racial tensions.
Premier Popo Molefe’s representative, Keith Khoza, said the provincial government strongly condemned the incident.
The Justice and Constitutional Development Department condemned the shooting, and labelled it a racially motivated incident.
Representative Paul Setsetse said: ”The ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development is shocked and upset at this shooting incident of innocent people. But we are relieved that the suspect was arrested and commend police for their swift action.” – Sapa