Paintball pellets fired at vehicle on N12

A businessman from Ritchie, Thomas Khomojong, has opened a charge of pointing a firearm and reckless and negligent driving after his vehicle was hit by paintball pellets while he was rushing to transport his two-month-old niece for medical treatment in Kimberley this week. 

He stated that the loud blast of the shots led him to believe that it could have been live bullets. 

“I was travelling with my parents and niece from Ritchie on June 23 on the N12 at around 9-10 pm. There were heavy-duty trucks on the road, and the Toyota GD6 vehicle blocked me and tried to push me off the road, as I tried to overtake it near the Kimberley weighbridge.” 

He added that as he passed the vehicle, five paintball bullets were fired at the front passenger seat.

“The windows were tinted, and I could not see how many people were travelling in the car. I unsuccessfully tried to follow the vehicle as it sped off in the direction of Kimberley.” 

Khomojong indicated that the owner of the vehicle was traced to a resident living in Hillcrest, Kimberley. 

He said that the baby was admitted to the hospital for a lung infection.

“The mother of the child was treated for shock, while my parents were also visibly shaken. Thankfully, no one was injured.”

He said he managed to wash off the paint and that no damages were caused to his vehicle.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Sergio Kock said the Kimberley police were investigating a case of pointing a firearm and reckless and negligent driving,  following the alleged incident that took place on the N12 on June 23.

“No arrests have been effected as yet.  The investigation continues,” he added.