Cape Town - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating after a woman was shot dead during a hijacking in Cape Town on Thursday.
The 45-year-old female died on the scene after shots were fired on Strandfontein Road in Ottery, opposite the South African Breweries (SAB) at 7am.
The woman sustained a gunshot wound to her back.
Ipid said the woman and three male accomplices are believed to have hijacked a taxi cab in Diep River.
Ipid said in a statement: “They fled the scene and drove towards Grassy Park.”
SAPS members pursued the hijackers, who came to a stop on Strandfontein Road, Ottery.
Four SAPS members approached the vehicle and one of the suspects allegedly pointed a firearm at them.
Two cops shot at the car.
The suspects sped off, but stopped about 500m away, and the suspects fled on foot.
The woman’s body was found inside the hijacked car.
She was declared dead at the scene.
Cops confiscated several cartridges and a projectile.
An inquest docket and a case of hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle were opened for investigation.
Robert Daniels, Principal Communications Officer for Emergency Medical and Forensic Pathology, said the woman died on the scene as paramedics tried to save her life.
“The [woman], who suffered a gunshot wound to her back, unfortunately passed away as emergency personnel were performing CPR,” Daniels said.
A member of the Grassy Park Neighbourhood Watch, who was on the scene, also claimed the woman was an accomplice to the hijacking which took place between Diep River and Plumstead.