Stefanutti Stocks coastal manager Matthew Horwill survived a hit-style shooting in Pinetown, west of Durban, on Friday morning.
A gunman – who was lying in wait at the construction giant’s headquarters in Henwood Road – ambushed the 44-year-old as he approached the office.
His Toyota Land Cruiser was peppered with gunfire, with at least seven bullet holes visible in the driver’s side door and windows.
Police sources who spoke to News24 on condition of anonymity said Horwill sustained a gunshot wound to his arm.
Stefanutti CEO Russell Crawford said he had no comment, save for that Horwill was “in no danger, just traumatised”.
According to a biography on Stefanutti’s website, Horwill was a veteran of the construction industry and had joined the company in 2003 as a site engineer in KwaZulu-Natal.
He worked on high-profile civil engineering projects for Stefanutti and rose through the ranks.
Horwill was in March appointed as the managing director for the coastal region, according to the post.
KwaZulu-Natal has gained notoriety as a hotbed for extortion syndicates and groups which target high-value projects in the construction sector.
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In 2018, Stefanutti was drawn into conflict with the Delangokubona SA Business Forum which demanded a stake in the R276.45-million Hammarsdale Interchange on the busy N3 highway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
Owing to a demand by the forum for a 30% cut of the project cost, the project was beset by delays.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police had registered a case of attempted murder.
“Information at [our] disposal at this stage indicates that the man was driving into his place of work when he was ambushed by a suspect who was walking on foot,” he said.
“The victim sustained [a] gunshot wound to the arm and was taken to hospital for medical attention. The motive of the shooting is unknown and a search for the suspect is underway,” he added.
Culled from News24
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