Two dead in apparent taxi industry hit

Two security guards were killed and their client injured after armed gunmen fired more than 100 shots at their car in what appears to be a taxi-related hit.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Harry Manaka said officers found more than 100 bullet casings from rifles and pistols on the scene in Tsakane‚ Ekurhuleni.

The two security guards from Ingonyama Protection picked up their client - who works in the taxi industry - from his home about 5am and were on their way to drop him off at the Duduza Taxi Rank.

“Apparently the two security guards were escorting one of the members of the taxi association‚ giving him what they call ‘close protection’. They picked him up from his house and [took him] up to the place where he operates‚” Manaka said.

Two cars drove up behind the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI they were travelling in. One car sped up‚ passed the Volkswagen and blocked it off. The armed gunmen jumped out of both cars before spraying bullets at the VW.

The two security guards and the passenger were hit. One security guard died on the scene. The second security guard and the passenger were rushed to the Pholosong Hospital‚ where the second guard died.

“It [the crime scene] was right at the gate of the hospital‚” said Manaka.

The passenger was shot in the upper body and remains in the hospital in intensive care.

Bystanders ran for cover as the bullets flew‚ but no-one was injured.

“It was a well-planned hit‚ because they concentrated on the vehicle only.”

No arrests have been made.