Brit shot dead after taking wrong turn from airport with family & driving straight into riot in Cape Town
A BRITISH doctor was shot dead in Cape Town after taking a wrong turn from the airport and driving straight into a riot.
The 40-year-old man was with two family members when he drove into Nyanga – a township near Cape Town International Airport.
Lirandzu Themba, the spokeswoman for the police minister, said: “The 40-year-old doctor was driving with two other persons in the vehicle.
“From the airport he apparently took a wrong turn off on Thursday evening and headed towards Nyanga.
“In Ntlangano Crescent a number of suspects approached his vehicle, shot and killed him. No arrests yet.”
A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed it was supporting the man’s family and speaking to local authorities.
The Brit is among five people who have been killed in the last week after a taxi driver strike turned violent.
Negotiations between taxi unions and the government broke down on Monday – leading to strike action by the South African National Taxi Council.
At least 120 people have been arrested since the violence erupted.
Police minister Bheki Cele said: “The investigations into the five murders, attempted murders, public violence, arson, armed robberies, carjacking and malicious damage to property continue.”
Protests erupted after a law was introduced giving the authorities the power to impound taxi driver’s vehicles for driving without a licence, or registration plates.
Cops started impounding vehicles last week – sparking violence as protesters torched buses and cars and pelted the police with stones.
The Foreign Office issued a warning to Brits travelling to South Africa on Wednesday – urging travellers to stick to major routes and avoid the riots.
“There are currently minicab taxi strikes in the Cape Town area,” it said.
“These strikes have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport.
“Check for any disruption on your route before travelling, avoid violent protests and try to stick to major routes.”
The office of the City of Cape Town said the riots had been impacting people commuting to work and leaving people stranded due to the attacks on public transport.
Cape Town city mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said: “In Cape Town, violence will never be tolerated as a negotiating tactic.”
Nyanga is one of the most dangerous places in South Africa.