BY REGINALD KANYANE
THREE people died after a taxi that they were travelling in was hijacked. The incident took place between Swartruggens and Silverkraans. It is alleged that upon hijacking the taxi, the hijacker drove towards the north of Swartruggens.
MEC for health, Dr Magome Masike said the police were informed and that led to a chase.
“Unfortunately the hijacker lost control and the taxi overturned. A female nurse and another female passenger who was employed in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) were killed instantly.
“The ambulance and the forensic team were summoned to the scene. The hijacker suffered severe injuries and was ferried to Moses Kotane Hospital for medical attention,” Masike said.
He added that the hijacker died at around 11:40pm while waiting to be transferred to Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital. Masike said all three deceased are at Phokeng Forensic Mortuary.
“The names of all the deceased will not be released yet. We need to inform their next of kin. The nurse was travelling to the Swartruggens CHC for her night shift.
“As the North West Department of Health, we are shocked by this horrendous incident. It is sad that we have to lose the much needed health professional through crime. I send a message of condolences to the family. Their loss is our loss,” Masike said.
The Guardian 