Caretaker shot in spat over noise
2008-08-08 10:45
Johannesburg - The caretaker of a block of flats in Hillbrow was shot dead on Thursday after he allegedly had an argument with a tenant about noise, police said.
Police spokesperson Captain Bhekizizwe Mavundla said the shooting happened at Williton Court on the corner of Clarendon Place and Claim Street.
Apparently a 26-year-old male tenant at the block of flats and his friend had an argument with the 53-year-old caretaker about noise in the building on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the tenant knocked on the caretaker's door on the first floor. When he opened the man shot him several times with a 9mm pistol.
The caretaker's girlfriend heard the shots and came to the front of the room.
"She was pushed away by the caretaker who was already shot and bleeding," said Mavundla.
The girlfriend was hit by one bullet and sustained a gunshot wound in the hand.
The caretaker died on the scene.
Police came and chased the man in the building. A shootout ensued but no one was injured. The tenant was eventually apprehended at the top of the building.
He told police he bought the firearm for R400 from someone just to shoot the caretaker.
Police seized the firearm with an empty magazine. It will be sent for tests to see if it was used to commit other crimes.
The tenant has been charged with murder, attempted murder and the possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition.
He is expected to appear in Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Friday.
- SAPA