JOHANNESBURG, Four Pakistani nationals were shot dead after unidentified gunmen ambushed their vehicle in Sebenza, a suburb east of Johannesburg, in what South African police believe may have been a targeted attack.
According to police, the shooting occurred on Saturday evening along Zuurfontein Road as the victims were returning home in their vehicle.
Investigators said the four men owned and operated small retail shops in Tembisa, a township on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg.
Preliminary findings indicate that the victims stopped at a traffic signal when a white sedan pulled up alongside their vehicle. Several armed assailants reportedly exited the car and opened heavy fire from both sides before fleeing the scene.
Emergency responders pronounced all four victims dead at the scene.
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Police recovered multiple 9mm shell casings and have launched a homicide investigation.
Authorities said the attack appears to have been a targeted killing, although the motive has not yet been determined. No arrests have been made, and investigators are working to identify the attackers and establish the circumstances behind the shooting.
The incident adds to growing concerns over violent crime affecting business owners in parts of South Africa, where foreign-owned small businesses have frequently been targeted in armed attacks in recent years.
