Cape Town - An off-duty security guard who shot and killed a motorist at the Engen garage in Orange Street in Gardens, smoked a cigarette and drank a Coke as he waited for police yesterday afternoon.
Customers at the busy city petrol station were left horrified by the shooting, for which there was no clear motive.
Some witnesses claimed they saw the 48-year-old security guard and the 24-year-old victim, Moegamat Toufiq Joseph, arguing in the parking lot.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said the suspect would appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on a charge of murder.
Witnesses said they were horrified at the killing.
Some bystanders said the security guard, who had been wearing a grey vest and blue jeans, had been arguing with Joseph, from Woodstock, just before the 24-year-old was shot in the stomach.
One man, who asked to remain anonymous, said the sound of the gunshot sent customers screaming and running from the petrol station’s shop and into the danger zone of the parking lot.
“I was in the parking lot and saw the two men arguing. I couldn’t make out what they were saying but it looked very intense. I ignored the two and headed towards the shop when I hear the gunshot go off. I immediately took cover behind a pillar and saw people screaming as they ran outside the store. I thought there would be more shots but the shooter just stood there.”
Joseph died at the scene.
Another witness said the gunman appeared composed after the shooting.
“He was completely calm. He smoked a cigarette and drank a Coke while he waited on the police. It was very strange to see a man so in control after he just shot and killed someone.”
Less than 20 minutes after the shooting, several police, ambulances and Central City Improvement District vehicles converged on the garage.
Joseph’s body was covered in a thin silver sheet while the gunman stood a few metres away.
He gave a short statement before he was quickly bundled into the back of a police van.
The suspect had a white bandage on his right wrist.
It was uncertain if he sustained an injury before or during the parking lot confrontation.
Joseph’s friends and family arrived on the scene later.
Kashief Joseph, Toufiq’s older brother, said the family was unsure of the motive behind the shooting.
“The security (guards) just told us they saw a man go to my brother and shoot him. We are shocked about this. I don’t think he knew the guy that shot him.
“We will follow up with police on what happened.”
Shameer Abbass, Joseph’s friend, said he had seen the 24-year-old less than an hour before his death.
“He was at my house just now. I told him to chill by us and buy some food. When he left I had a feeling that something was going to happen. I tried to phone him but his phone just rang.
“Then I got a phone call saying that he was killed. I phoned Toufiq’s brother who said he was killed.
“He was my friend. I’ve known him for years. He was an amazing person. He always made us laugh.”
Bystanders speculated on the motive for the crime as they stood behind the yellow police tape.
“At first I thought it was a business robbery but everything happened in the parking lot. Then I thought it might have been an attempted hijacking but that doesn’t make much sense either.
“It might have involved drugs or a serious case of road rage but nothing about the shooting makes any sense,” said one witness. - Weekend Argus