A family from the Nzhelele-Biaba area are still recovering from the trauma of being fired upon in their vehicle by an armed security guard near the Three-Mile traffic circle along the N1 outside Louis Trichardt at around 23:00 on Friday, 20 June.
A 28-year-old female passenger was shot and wounded during the ordeal. The alleged shooter, identified as 42-year-old Jimmy Venter, was arrested at the scene and is facing a charge of attempted murder. Venter is an employee of the Musina-based private security company Kawia Rural Anti-Poaching.
The family, which included four children aged between one and seven, was travelling from Gauteng to Limpopo in a silver Toyota C-HR. Near the Three-Mile circle, an unmarked vehicle attempted to intercept them. Alarmed, the driver of the family's vehicle made a U-turn back in the direction of Polokwane. While still being chased, he made a second U-turn, heading back towards Louis Trichardt again.
Phathutshedzo Mukwevho, who was behind the wheel, told Limpopo Mirror that he had feared for their safety. "The vehicle chasing us had no markings, and the men inside weren't in uniform. I turned around, hoping to find traffic officers at the weighbridge. Then, as we approached the Three-Mile circle again, gunshots were fired. My sister-in-law was hit," he said.
Mukwevho said the woman had undergone surgery and been discharged the next day after no internal injuries were found. "It was a traumatic experience. The children are still affected — they scream whenever they see a bakkie. I've taken them for psychological support. I also still suffer from flashbacks," he added.
A video circulating on social media (Facebook) shows the accused standing in front of another security company's (Defendum) vehicle in the background. However, Defendum has issued a statement distancing itself from the incident.
According to the statement, Defendum personnel arrived only after the incident had taken place. "The images being shared may be misleading. Defendum assisted after the incident by notifying SAPS and ambulance services and helped secure the scene. The company was not involved in the shooting. We are cooperating fully with the ongoing police investigation and wish the victim a full recovery," the statement reads.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that Venter was arrested at the scene and that a Siga 7.62 rifle believed to have been used in the incident was confiscated.
Kawia Anti-Poaching was approached for comment on the incident but, through a spokesperson, Mr Ronnie van Niekerk, declined to comment on legal advice. Van Niekerk said they would issue a statement following Venter's bail application hearing.
Venter appeared in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate's Court on Monday, 23 June. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi confirmed that the matter was postponed to Friday, 27 June, for profiling and a possible bail application. Venter remains in custody until then.
Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe condemned the incident, especially since it involves someone in a position of public trust.