A Democratic Alliance election candidate was shot during an armed robbery while erecting party posters in Mamelodi, the party said on Sunday.
Doulien van der Merwe was sitting in her car outside a shopping complex in Mamelodi on Saturday afternoon talking with DA MP Les Labuschagne when they were approached by at least four assailants, the DA said in a statement.
After demanding their cellphones and car keys — which they gained after placing a pistol against Labuschagne’s stomach — the assailants discharged two shots into Van der Merwe’s legs when she press the hooter of the car. They then fled on foot.
Both DA members had just completed erecting party posters for the municipal election to be held on March 1.
Labuschagne then rushed the bleeding Van der Merwe to the Wilgers hospital for treatment.
”This incident, which happened in broad daylight not 200m from a SAPS [South African Police Service] station, shows the callous disregard for human life that has become the norm under the ANC [African National Congress] government and a sad commentary on the standing of policing in general,” said Labuschagne. — Sapa