/ 10 August 2007

Motorist shoots Jo’burg taxi driver in the mouth

A taxi driver was fighting for his life in the Johannesburg hospital on Thursday night after an enraged motorist shot him in the face following a fender bender incident, said ER24.

The minibus taxi was travelling down Louis Botha Avenue towards the Johannesburg CBD when it bumped a Volkswagen Citi Golf at the intersection with Arkwright avenue, in Wynberg, said ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak.

”Bystanders saw a man get out of the car, walk straight up to the taxi driver and shoot him in the mouth,” he said. The ”big guy” then fled.

Paramedics found the taxi driver in the minibus and treated him on the scene for ”massive” facial and head injuries before taking him to hospital.

His condition was critical, said Johannesburg police spokesperson Captain Bheki Mavundla.

He said the 32-year-old gunman was arrested in Bramley. A licensed Norinco 9mm pistol was confiscated. Police found two spent cartridges at the scene of the shooting.

At this stage, the man faced a charge of attempted murder, he said. – Sapa