Journal mrselfdestrukt's Journal: News Flash: Stranded woman killed on N3 near Hammarsdale.
South Africa
Stranded woman killed on N3 near Hammarsdale
Ingrid Oellermann
November 14 2005 at 12:06AM
A Pietermaritzburg woman, Makhosi Kunene, 26, was shot dead by a gunman who attacked her and her female companion after their car had broken down on the N3 near Hammarsdale on Friday night.
Superintendent Joshua Gwala said on Sunday that the name of the passenger who survived was being withheld for security reasons. She was a crucial witness in the case, he said.
He said the two women had been travelling from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in an Opel Corsa sedan when the car had apparently experienced a mechanical problem at 10pm and they had had to stop.
Kunene had decided to park near the Peacevale Bridge at Hammarsdale to await the arrival of assistance. While doing so an assailant had allegedly smashed the passenger window, causing the women to jump out and run in different directions.
The passenger had told the police she had hidden herself while the attacker had chased Kunene. The woman had said that while she had been hiding she had heard a gunshot.
After the matter was reported to the police an intensive search was launched for Kunene.
With the help of the police dog unit's K9 search-and-rescue team, Kunene's body was found in a gutter at the side of the N3 about 500m from the car.
She had sustained head injuries which the police believe were caused by a gunshot.
Gwala said nothing appeared to have been stolen. While acknowledging that Kunene and her companion had been left with no other choice because their car had broken down, he said the police frequently urged motorists not to stop on the roads, especially at night or in isolated areas.
A man and his wife were shot in Inanda Road, Durban, recently by three hijackers after the man stopped at the roadside to answer his cellphone.
Anyone with information on Kunene's murder is asked to telephone Inspector Israel Sibiya at 031 736 1191 or Crime Stop at
086 001 0111.
