Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2015-01-13

A 50-year-old Imam from KwaDukuza in Kwa-Zulu-Natal was wounded after the car he was travelling in was shot at 23 times by apparent hit men.  

Haniff Pandor who is the Imam of Stanger Jamia Masjid said a case of mistaken identity could have led to the drive-by shooting and has described his survival as a miracle.

The shooting took place early Sunday morning when Pandor took his brother-in-law, Farouk Randera of Gauteng, to see a mechanic at a petrol station in Dawnside.

“I saw this bakkie drive close to us and then heard a loud bang. I thought a tyre had blown.

“Then I heard more bangs. I saw four men in the back of the bakkie, one of them had a big gun in his hand,” Pandor said.

Pandor said most of the bullets hit below the door on the passenger side and went through the seats.

“Randera stopped the car in shock. I did not know we were shot. The bakkie stopped ahead and the men just stared at the car. I don’t know what was going through their minds.

“I got out and walked to the back of the car where I hid for a few minutes until the bakkie drove off. Randera hunched down behind the steering,” Pandor said.

A police source said a taxi boss had been killed at the same garage last week in what was believed to be a taxi-related shooting.

There was “some possibility” the incidents were linked and police were exploring this.

Randera has been discharged from hospital. Two bullets struck him in the leg while Pandor, is in hospital under observation after a bullet went through the hip area and lodged near his stomach.

“I thank God. I forgive my attackers for their ignorance. I am lucky I did not take the family along for a ride,” Pandor said.

A spokesman for the Stanger Jamia Musjid said the shooting had left the congregation in shock.

The Police’s Major Thulani Zwane confirmed a case of attempted murder was being investigated.

“The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage and no arrests have been made.”

– Daily News

(Twitter: @Faizie143)