Johannesburg - An unarmed security guard was shot dead on a freeway in the south of Joburg on Friday morning.
ER24 paramedics were called to the N12 west, about 1km from the Comaro Street offramp, in Bassonia at 5am. When they arrived, they declared the man dead on the scene.
ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said the information they had received was that the guard had stopped two men who were walking along the side of the road.
He said one of the men pulled out a gun and shot the guard three times, hitting him once in the abdomen and twice in the arm. The guard’s partner reportedly fled the scene and later returned.
It is believed that after the shooting, the two suspects fled the area.
Michelle Pelser, the vice-chairwoman of the Mondeor Community Policing Forum, said they had been informed the guard was unarmed.
“This guy didn’t have a fighting chance,” she said.
Pelser did not know the name of the security company, but said she had been informed it was a small company subcontracted to the SA National Roads Agency Ltd.
Sanral confirmed the man worked for its security service provider.
“As soon the next-of-kin of the employee (have) been informed Sanral will issue further details,” said Vusi Mona, the agency’s spokesman.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale said the guard was aged 23 and was on patrol at the time.
She said the guards had noticed the two men standing next to a powerline at about 4.30am and began questioning them when one of the suspects opened fire.
Police are yet to reveal what they believe was the motive for the shooting.
Traffic along the N12 freeway was severely backed up during the morning rush, as drivers slowed down to look at the police investigation.
By 8.30am the crime scene was cleared but police investigations were continuing.
The Star