Blue light shooting victim in the dark

Durban - The 24-year-old Durban man who was shot at by a person travelling in an official car on the N3 this week is still in the dark as to who his attacker was, with various municipal and provincial government bodies unable to provide answers.

Wynand, who did not want his surname disclosed, was driving from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Tuesday afternoon when he was caught between a white Corolla and a Prado, which, he was later told, was a convoy transporting a KZN mayor.

The passenger of the Corolla shot twice at Wynand when he took too long to move away from between the vehicles, after which the driver stopped in front of him on the freeway, got out of his vehicle, ran towards Wynand who was still in his car, and fired multiple shots at him.

Neither Wynand nor his vehicle was hit. Wynand opened a case with police, but is yet to receive feedback as to who his attacker was. This has not stopped him from pursuing the matter though.

“My dad suggested I go look for the bullet casings,” said Wynand when he spoke to The Mercury.

In his hand were two scuffed shells from a 9mm firearm which he found at the scene of the shooting.

He contacted police to let them know he had the shells, and the investigating officer was expected to collect the evidence. He was hopeful police could match the shells to the gun of the person who shot at him.

“I could identify him if I saw him, definitely,” said Wynand.

Authorities, however, have no leads as to who the person could be. Metro police spokesman Eugene Msomi said none of his officers had reported the incident, despite Wynand claiming the Corolla was stopped by Metro police near Spaghetti Junction.

Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Department spokesman Kwanele Ncalane said he, too, had not received any feedback.

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesman Lennox Mabaso said he was checking with transport officials but had no feedback.

DA leader in the province, Sizwe Mchunu, on Wednesday called for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to investigate.

“The DA is extremely disturbed by this incident. It is difficult to establish how the motorist posed a threat,” he said.

“In KwaZulu-Natal, VIP drivers have become synonymous with gun-toting cowboys. This kind of arrogance by those in power is unacceptable in a democratic society.”

Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said a case of attempted murder was being investigated.

The Mercury

• Bullets fly in N3 VIP incident