Pietermaritzburg - Police are appealing to the public for information after a resident of Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg, was shot dead in his garden in a suspected hijacking.
Police spokesman, Colonel Jay Naicker, said the attack took place at about 5.20am on Wednesday when 52-year-old Clement Bongani Zondi was returning to his home in Chase Valley Road from the nearby Cascades Virgin Active gym.
Zondi was a taxi owner operating in the Sobantu area. Police do not believe that the incident is taxi-related.
“It is believed that Zondi had returned home from the gym and was getting out of his vehicle when he was confronted by an armed suspect,” Naicker said.
Zondi might have resisted, because he was shot once in the chest and the suspect fled in Zondi’s white Toyota Hilux bakkie.
“Zondi’s domestic worker heard a gunshot and she went outside to investigate. She saw Zondi crawling towards the house. She contacted the police and paramedics,” Naicker said.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and tried to resuscitate Zondi for more than 40 minutes, but to no avail.
Police are investigating cases of murder and hijacking and are making an appeal to anyone who can assist with information to phone the branch commander, Detective Warrant Officer Gideon Bouwer, of SAPS Town Hill Detective Services, at 033 845 7794 or at 076 592 7164.
Members of the public may also phone Crime Stop at 086 001 0111.
Daily News