On Friday, 29 November 2019, while security officers were busy servicing an ATM at the Cleary Park shopping center in Gelvandale, one of them accidentally shot himself in his upper leg.
It is alleged that at about 14:30, shoppers suddenly started frantically running into the center and were screaming. The security officers thought that they were being attacked and went down in combat position.
As the guard assumed the position, he accidentally shot himself in his right upper leg. He was taken to hospital for treatment. A case of discharging a firearm in a municipal area was opened.
Investigations later revealed that there was an alleged shooting between rival gangs at the taxi rank near the center thereby causing the commuters and shoppers to rush into the center in order to escape injury. At the same time PE K9 unit members were patrolling around the shopping center when they were stopped by a taxi.
They were informed that one of the shooters boarded a taxi which was behind them. With the assistance of SAPS Kabega Park Crime Prevention members, the taxi was pulled over in Norman Middleton Street.
K9 members apprehended the 20 year old suspect inside the taxi. A .38 revolver was found tucked in his pants. He is detained on a charge of attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
He is expected to appear in court on Monday, 2 December 2019.
The firearm will be sent to ballistics for analysis.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
