Somali spaza shop owner killed in U’hage ambush

A MAN was killed and another wounded after gunmen opened fire on the bakkie in which they were driving.

Ahmed Abdullahi, 32, a Somali national, was killed and his passenger injured during the incident in Maduna Road in Kamesh, Uitenhage.

Abdullahi owned several spaza shops in the Uitenhage area and was doing cash collections at his shops when the attack occurred.

Police spokesman Sergeant Majola Nkohli said a VW Polo and a Fiat Uno pushed Abdullahi’s vehicle, a Mazda Double Cab, off the road. “The two vehicles were travelling in the same direction when the driver of the VW Polo forced the Mazda bakkie off the road. A Fiat Uno was also involved in the attack,” he said.

“The vehicles came to a halt and the driver of the Polo drew a firearm and shot him [Abdullahi] as he exited the bakkie, only metres away from the door.”

Nkohli said a preliminary investigation suggested either a hijacking or robbery.

“The drivers of the Polo and the Fiat sped off after the shooting,” he said.

“The Fiat was recovered after being abandoned in Northwest Street, Uitenhage.”