GOLDEN HIGHWAY SHOOTOUT CLAIMS LIFE

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One dead, six injured as taxi violence erupts on Golden Highway.

54-year old Botiki Mokoena says he thanks God his daughter, Mampho is still alive.

The 23-year old woman was one of seven people shot during a shootout between taxi operators on the Golden Highway on Friday morning.

One man, a taxi owner, lost his life when unknown gunmen opened fire at taxi owners and passengers just outside the Evaton Mall.

Mampho and all others who were injured in the crossfire were rushed to Sebokeng hospital for urgent medical attention.

The distraught father, Botiki, says his daughter suffered a bullet wound on the thigh.

At the scene, he stood near the ambulance door to speak to Mampho, who was explaining what she saw and heard as gunshots rang out.

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“Mampho was on her way from work when she was shot.

The taxi was making deliveries and drove into a shootout near the 4-way stop sign.

She said bullets went in from one side of the taxi and exited on the other, shattering the windows and that’s when she was hit,” he said.

Mampho lives in Sebokeng Zone 24 with her family and works at Ferrero Rocher, a chocolate-making company in Walkerville.

She was on her way from a night-shift at the company when almost died.

The Golden Highway was closed for several hours to allow police and pathology officials to clear the scene.

As emergency services attended to the injured, scores of policemen and women worked the scene in search of clues as dozens of bystanders looked on in disbelief.

The deceased’s body was lying in the middle of the 4-way intersection and close to it were several cars which were damaged by a hail of bullets.

A white taxi, green Toyota Conquest and Fortuner were parked inside the scene and apparent bullet holes could be seen on the rear and side windows.

Police spokesman Constable Tshifhiwa Mitileni said murder and attempted murder cases have been registered and are currently under intense investigation.