Kgatla sustained gunshot wounds to his arm and pelvis and was rushed to hospital.
He was on his way home on the R511 at Silkaatsnek near Hartbeespoort at about 17:30 when gunmen in a dark grey Volkswagen Polo approached from behind and fired multiple shots into his vehicle before speeding away.
According to Roland Craucamp, who was at a fuel station about 50m from the scene and was first to assist, Kgatla managed to get out of his vehicle and make his way to a nearby roadside shop.
“He was bleeding profusely. I tried to stop the bleeding with towels until the Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) arrived. He was rushed to a hospital in Brits,” Craucamp said.
Craucamp estimated that about 16 shots were fired. “It is a miracle that he is alive.”
Riaan Britz of the Emergency Response Team Harties (ERTH), who arrived on the scene shortly afterwards, said 11 bullet holes were counted in Kgatla’s vehicle.
“9mm pistol spent cartridges were found on the scene,” he said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh said the motive for the attack remains unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation.
“Police appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist in identifying the suspects or the vehicle involved, to contact Lt Col Ditau Malebati at Brits Detectives on 076 510 8262 or the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Information can also be submitted anonymously via the MySAPS App.”
