Hercules police have urged the public to avoid the Theo Martins Gateway near the Mabopane Highway after two people were attacked and one of them killed.
Police Spokesperson Captain Bonginkosi Msimanga, said the gateway is a mountain pass used by many Christians as a prayer location, he also added that a 57- year old man was found dead on the mountain on Friday.
According to a witness, who wished to remain anonymous, the man was discovered at around 13:30. “I was going to get things from the mountain for the church when I saw a body on the ground about 40 metres from me. I immediately went to the police station, the police came and declared the man dead.
Captain Msimanga said, the man seemed to have bled to death as he only suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. And also the man’s belongings including his driver’s license and car keys were found several metres from the body.
“We found the man’s car, a white fiat parked on the side of the Mabopane highway. A murder is being investigated”, he said.
Also last Thursday night a 51- year old VIP protection officer was shot at the gateway after attending a prayer session with two women.
“They were approached by three men who then shot the man. The two women fled. The man is currently in ICU at Akasia hospital”, said Captain Msimanga.
The brother of the victim, who asked not to be named, said the victim was shot as he refused to hand over his belongings.
“My brother was trying to hide his belongings from the three men. A fight emerged and that was when they shot him. He is recovering well. He will be released from ICU soon”, he said.
Captain Msimanga warned the public of the mountain pass as he said several murder cases have been reported.
“People should avoid going to that mountain or stopping on the Mabopane Highway. It seems many victims are shot but without any of their belongings being stolen. We have declared that area as very dangerous,” he said.
