Laughing driver opens fire at Nelson Mandela University

Four occupants of a luxury vehicle – one armed – caused havoc when they went on a wild rampage on Wednesday‚ opening fire randomly among protesting students at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela University.

Shortly afterwards‚ they charged down on two terrified female motorists in Summerstrand while earlier‚ they had pointed a gun at a security guard in a car in Central.

After the bizarre series of incidents they were finally cornered by police on the M4.

The 27-year-old driver of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak double cab was arrested‚ along with three other occupants. All are aged between 27 and 35.

At the time of their arrest‚ the driver and one passenger were shirtless‚ and several empty alcohol bottles were allegedly scattered inside the vehicle.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the first incident had been reported at about 11am, when the driver allegedly pointed a gun at a security guard.

The men then sped off to the NMU south campus in Summerstrand, where they drove between the protesters – who were in their second day of demonstrations over security fears following a rape and stabbing attack on campus on Monday night – to get to the security gate.

Forced to turn back to the crowd, a witness described how the 'laughing driver' pointed his gun out of the window, firing four shots.

 While speeding out of Summerstrand, the men then attempted to stop a mother and daughter in a car in Strandfontein Road.

“They stopped ahead of us and two men, one without a shirt [on], jumped out and ran towards us. I told my daughter just to ‘drive, drive’,” the mother, who did not want to be named, said.

Shortly after this, police were able to box the vehicle in on the M4 freeway and force it off the road.

As the vehicle came to a halt, the driver climbed out and lay down on top of his loaded firearm.

Police said the incident was isolated and not related to the student protests.

Charges of pointing a firearm, discharging a firearm and attempted murder have been opened for investigation.

- Read the full story on The Herald