As reported by The South African website, a Chinese national was shot in the chest in the Howard Centre parking lot in Pinelands on Monday afternoon.
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According to the Southern Suburbs Tatler website, one of his four attackers was later found dead in a car in nearby Observatory, according to police.
Body found in Observatory
Four assailants grappled with the man in front of Pinelands library at about 15:15, as they tried to take a black bag from him containing documents and a laptop, said provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie.
Several shots were fired, and the unnamed man was hospitalised after taking a bullet to the chest.
“The assailants fled the scene empty-handed,” confirmed Pojie.
Meanwhile, at around 17:45, a man’s body was found inside a stationary vehicle in the St Peter’s Square shopping centre parking lot in Observatory.
Further investigation linked the dead man and the vehicle to the attempted murder and attempted robbery of the Chinese national earlier in the day, said Pojie.
He said the man had been shot during the struggle with the victim at Howard Centre, and Woodstock police had registered an inquest docket in connection with the death.
The other three assailants remain at large.
Utmost priority
Pinelands Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Sherfoodien Parker thanked all the police officers, medics, security services and neighbourhood watch patrollers who had responded to the incident.
“We commend these efforts in protecting our community and ensuring the victim received swift medical attention. We remind all residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”
In a statement, Howard Centre management said the safety and well-being of its customers and staff remained their utmost priority, and they were supporting the authorities with their investigation.
Anyone with information about the case can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app.
