Three people, including a tow truck driver, were killed in separate drive-by shootings in Chatsworth and Phoenix over the weekend. The latest incident occurred on Saturday night, when a tow truck driver and his assistant were shot and killed while parked on the M1 Higginson Highway, near the Croftdene off-ramp in Chatsworth.
Garrith Jamieson, the spokesperson for ALS Paramedics Medical Services, said paramedics arrived on the scene to find the police already in attendance. They were shown to a breakdown vehicle, which had two male occupants. It is alleged that a vehicle stopped at the breakdown vehicle and opened fire on the men before driving off.
Investigations Underway
Both men sustained multiple gunshot wounds and unfortunately, paramedics could do nothing for them. They were declared deceased on the scene. The scene was cordoned off for further investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), as explained on the SAPS website.
Meanwhile, a man was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Redfern, Phoenix on Friday night. Gareth Naidoo, spokesperson for KZN VIP, said their emergency teams were dispatched to the scene after receiving multiple reports of gunshots in the area.
Shootings on the Rise
Upon further investigation, it was established that a vehicle pulled up alongside a male and the occupants opened fire multiple times, fatally wounding the victim. They then fled the scene. Paramedics arrived on scene and sadly declared the victim deceased after finding no signs of life.
The circumstances leading up to the incident cannot be confirmed at this stage pending an SAPS investigation. Some of the key factors that contribute to the rise in shootings include high crime rates and a lack of community policing.
- Increased violence in public spaces
- Lack of effective policing strategies
- Easy access to firearms
The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
