CONVOY AMBUSHED EN ROUTE TO FUNERAL

Two minibus taxis were ambushed around 04h00 this morning (14/08/02) as they were travelling on the R74 Muden Road, just outside Greytown in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, on their way to a funeral.

Four people were killed in the attack and two sustained serious injuries while 21 other passengers were slightly injured. The injured were then rushed to the Greytown hospital for emergency treatment.

The two minibuses had been on their way from Johannesburg to Maphumulo. They were apparently carrying a corpse that was to be buried today in the village.

The road has been closed to traffic to allow the South African Police Service to collect as much evidence as possible from the site of the shooting. Drivers should take the Rietvlei turnoff between Muden and Colenso on the R74. Traffic officers are on the road and are redirecting traffic to alternative routes.

The driver of one of the minibus taxis said that the two minibuses collided with each other after the assailants travelling in four cars attacked them and shot at both vehicles.

The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage and the police are carrying on with the necessary investigations.

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