Three NIGERIANS shot dead in Benoni, South Africa

Circa 2009, there were reported cases of Nigerians ‘allegedly’ killing themselves in Johanesbourg Town and Benoni, South Africa – it seems the ugly trend has resurfaced.

Gauteng police are investigating the murder of three Nigerian Nationals in Benoni in a shooting that happened on Saturday evening.

Gauteng police said on Sunday that three men have been killed in a cellular shop in Voortrekker Street, Benoni, on the East Rand.

According to Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini, they were inside the shop when five armed men entered around 6pm on Saturday. The five men opened fire, killing two of the customers, both 38, inside the shop, and the third man, 40, at the shop door.

Afterwards, the gunmen fled in a green BMW.

“The murdered men were Nigerians and their assailants were also believed to be Nigerians,” said Dlamini.

He said the police found spent cartridges at the scene, and a licensed firearm belonging to one of the men who died. Nothing was stolen.

“The motive for the killing is still unknown but a possibility that the victims were a rival group is being investigated,” said Dlamini. - Sapa