A truck driver was shot by gunmen multiple times, hit another vehicle, crashed into a tree and, while he lay dying, local residents looted his vehicle of its dairy products in Mpumalanga.
Petros Magagula, 45, was travelling to Bushbuckridge with two others for a delivery when they were attacked by gunmen, Mpumalanga South African Police Services spokesperson brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.
The driver was accompanied by two other company employees and was travelling on the R40 in Marite north of Hazyview on Tuesday morning when they were attacked.
"As they were passing through Marite, it is alleged that approximately four to five armed suspects emerged from the roadside with firearms.
“Further allegations are that the suspects initially tried to stop the truck by stepping into the road to block it. However, Magagula made a U-turn and bumped into another vehicle," Mohlala said.
He added: "Further information indicates that the suspects began firing shots at the truck.
"Unfortunately, the driver was hit by the hail of bullets and the truck came to a halt after hitting a tree. The other two crew members are lucky to be alive. One sustained some slight injuries,” he said.
Mohlala said there was no attempt to assist the driver or his wounded assistant by local residents who instead looted the vehicle before police and an ambulance arrive.
He added that the looting of crime scenes makes police investigations difficult as it contaminates the crime scene. SOURCE: News 24.
