Doctor shot in cemetery

2003-11-15 17:01

Johannesburg - A Soweto doctor was shot and killed while visiting the Doorenkop cemetery in Dobsonville with his brother on Saturday, police said.

Superintendent Richard Luvhengo said Dr Gomotso Masebelanga, 34, and his elder brother Rai Saka were visiting their grandmother's grave when the incident occurred.

As they were about to pray, the brothers were approached by two men. A third man with a gun appeared behind Masebelanga.

Masebelanga handed over his cellphone. As he was about to hand over his firearm, he was shot in the arm.

The gunman tried to run away but fell on his back. He carried on firing at Masebelanga, wounding him in the chest.

The two robbers fled, leaving the gunman. The gunman then threw the cellphone and firearm away before fleeing.

Masebelanga fired at the gunman as he ran away.

He then collapsed and was taken to the Chris Hani-Baragwanath hospital where he later died.

At the hospital, Saka noticed the gunman being brought in by an ambulance.

He alerted the police, who arrested the man.

Luvhengo said it appeared that the gunman had sustained injuries when Masebalanga shot at him while fleeing.

The arrested man was transferred to the Lerato hospital where he was under police guard.

Luvhengo said the gunman would appear in the Protea magistrate's court on Monday if he was discharged from hospital on the weekend, otherwise he would be remanded in absentia.

- SAPA