3 people wounded in Mall of Africa shootout
Police have responded to what is believed to be a taxi violence incident at the newly opened mall.
JOHANNESBURG - Three people have been shot and wounded in apparent taxi violence at the newly opened Mall of Africa in Midrand.
It's understood taxi operators were involved in a shootout outside the shopping centre.
THIS JUST IN: Shootout at Mall of Africa https://t.co/Ho3wIYMf16 @mallofafrica @TheMallOfAfrica @SAPSMIDRAND pic.twitter.com/AEKd1kxBwA
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) May 4, 2016
Two taxi bosses have been treated on the scene and transported to a nearby hospital.
One person who witnessed the shootout says, "I saw a lot of people running before I could get wind of what was happening... I saw people shooting."
Another explains who he believes the rival associations are.
"It's between Ivory Park Taxi Association and the Alexandra Taxi Association. The problem starts with the registration of the routes."
Four people have been arrested for being in possession of unlicensed firearms.
The police's Tsekiso Mofokeng says, "The police will be investigating a case of attempted murder, because the two groups of taxi associations were shooting at each other."
MALL OF AFRICA SHOOTING SCENE : https://t.co/b9mf0w1Dfe
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) May 4, 2016
Meanwhile, the Mall of Africa has distanced itself from the incident, saying the apparent taxi violence is unrelated to operations at the shopping centre.
Spokesperson Vanessa Sourie says, "It happened off our premises and all we are aware of, and can confirm, is that it's two taxi associations. We don't know what the cause of the conflict is."
