Cape Town - The sale of tickets for a major music festival may have led to a Woodstock man being shot dead in broad daylight at a busy garage in central Cape Town on Saturday.
A 48-year-old man, who is connected to the production of an international festival in South Africa next month, is due to appear in court on Sunday after 23-year-old Moegamat Toufiq Joseph was shot dead in the parking area of the Engen garage in Orange Street.
The man, whose identity is known to the Cape Times, may not be named until he has been charged.
While Joseph’s family were in mourning on Sunday as they prepared for his funeral, it emerged that the 48-year-old had waited for police to arrive at the scene.
Police spokesman Andre Traut said he was arrested on Saturday afternoon. Police initially suspected that he was an off-duty security guard. Traut could not, however, confirm or deny this yesterday.
It was reported that witnesses had seen the 48-year-old man and Joseph arguing in the parking lot before a single shot was fired.
The sound of the gunshot sent customers screaming and running from the Engen shop.
Joseph’s friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he feared for his life, confirmed that Joseph was selling festival tickets. “He sold them for the normal price and to some friends he sold them cheaper.”
He said he was not sure whether Joseph had worked for festival organisers or where he had got the tickets.
The friend was also aware of allegations that a man related to the production of a festival was arrested for the shooting, but was unsure of the details.
“I know he wouldn’t sell fake tickets. I know he wouldn’t do illegal stuff,” the friend said.
There was a demand for tickets online and internet users were interested in selling and buying tickets.
Kate Thompson-Duwe, a spokeswoman for the festival, confirmed that the man held in connection with the fatal shooting was a production consultant. She said they could not comment on the investigation.
“We are saddened to hear about the circumstances of the weekend’s incident and our thoughts are with the families of those involved,” she said.
At Joseph’s Woodstock home on Sunday, family and friends were scrambling to provide documentation to claim his body. Joseph was the youngest of three sons.
His brother Kashief said the two had meant to go out together that day, but Joseph said he would first visit his friend.
Traut said the motive for the shooting was unknown at this stage.
“The circumstances are under investigation and we can’t speculate on any motives,” he said.