Bodyguard in N3 shooting suspended
|Published
Durban08102013 Man who does'nt want to be identified was shot at on freeway by blue light brigade at Marrianhill Toll Plaza.Picture:Marilyn Bernard Durban08102013 Man who does'nt want to be identified was shot at on freeway by blue light brigade at Marrianhill Toll Plaza.Picture:Marilyn Bernard
Durban - The VIP bodyguard who fired shots at a motorist on the N3 near Westville last week is to hand himself over to the police on Monday to face a charge of attempted murder.
The bodyguard, whose identity is yet to be released, was escorting uMgungundlovu mayor Yusuf Bhamjee on official business when he fired at the motorist travelling in the fast lane on the N3.
The motorist, who would disclose only his first name, Wynand, was driving towards Durban after passing through the Mariannhil toll gate when a white Corolla flashed its lights for him to move over. Initially unable to do so, Wynand later pulled out of the lane and drove alongside the Corolla, whose passenger, he said, pulled out a gun and fired two shots at him.
The driver of the VIP car pulled over into the emergency lane, where the bodyguard got out and, firing several shots, ran towards Wynand, who had also pulled over. Wynand reversed, turned and drove over the centre island to escape. He was not hurt.
The manager of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, S’bu Khuzwayo, said the bodyguard had been suspended “pending the finalisation of the investigation”.
“Given that the matter has been reported to the police, the municipality will allow the law to take its course.”
Khuzwayo said Bhamjee had not been in the Corolla, but in the “main vehicle” - a white Prado.
When Wynand returned to the N3 southbound, he saw that the Corolla had stopped at the side of the road and its occupants were being questioned by metro police officers.
“The mayor was not immediately aware of the incident behind him,” said Khuzwayo, adding that Bhamjee had been told only on Thursday afternoon what had transpired.
The metro police officers were interviewed on Friday and provided their version, spokesman Eugene Msomi said.
The DA caucus leader in uMgungundlovu, Sibongiseni Majola, said the incident was “totally abhorrent” and a violation of citizens’ rights.
“Given the number of similar incidents experienced on our roads, the training of VIP members must be brought into question, as it appears their perception of threats to their charges and knowledge of traffic legislation appears to be non-existent,” said Majola.
Bhamjee was not available to comment.
The Mercury