Manhunt Launched After Deadly Highway Shooting on R59 in Alberton Leaves One Dead and Another Injured
Gauteng police have launched a manhunt after a brazen highway shooting on the R59 near Voortrekker Road in Alberton, on Wednesday afternoon, which left one man dead and another seriously wounded.
In a shocking daylight attack that has heightened fears over road safety in Gauteng, two men travelling in a grey Toyota Hilux came under heavy fire from suspects in two other vehicles on the busy R59 highway near Voortrekker Road in Alberton. The incident, which unfolded around 14:40 on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, forced the victims’ bakkie to veer off the road, crashing through guardrails and fencing before coming to a halt on the grounds of the nearby Reading Country Club golf course. Emergency services rushed to the scene, where one victim was declared dead from gunshot wounds, while the other was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Gauteng police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko provided details of the harrowing event, saying the suspects pursued the Hilux and opened fire without warning. “One of the victims was fatally shot at the scene, while the second victim sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention,” Sibeko explained. She added that the motive for the shooting remains unclear, with investigators treating the case as murder and attempted murder. “We are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder, at this stage, no arrests have been made, and the motive behind the attack is unknown.”
Chaos on the Highway and Immediate Response
The shooting not only claimed a life but also caused major traffic chaos on the N12 West near the Reading Interchange, where the R59 connects. Four lanes were closed as police and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) secured the area for investigation. Motorists faced heavy delays stretching from the N3 South and R24 junctions, all the way to the N12 West before the Edenvale on-ramp. Authorities advised drivers to use alternative routes, such as the on-ramp to Michelle Street on the N12 or City Deep Road, to avoid the backlog.
Emergency teams, including SAPS, EMPD, and ER24 paramedics, arrived swiftly to handle the scene. Photos from the aftermath show the damaged grey Hilux resting on the golf course grass, its front end smashed from the impact, with visible signs of the crash through barriers. Later images captured the highway at night, lined with police vehicles, traffic cones, and forensics officers in white suits combing the area for evidence. A traffic camera snapshot from 15:33 on the day showed vehicles backed up for kilometres, highlighting the disruption to rush-hour commuters.
By evening, the road was reopened, and traffic began flowing again, but the incident left many shaken. Social media posts from witnesses and traffic alerts described the panic as gunshots rang out, with some drivers ducking for cover amid the pursuit. One alert urged people to avoid the Reading Interchange area entirely, noting law enforcement’s heavy presence.
Investigation Underway Amid Rising Concerns Over Highway Violence
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward with any information, including dashcam footage from vehicles in the vicinity. The attackers’ vehicles remain unidentified, and detectives are reviewing CCTV from nearby cameras to trace their movements. While the motive is still a mystery, the brazen nature of the attack—happening in broad daylight on a major route—has sparked worries about targeted hits or road rage escalating to deadly levels.
This stretch of the R59 and N12 in Alberton has seen its share of violence before. Earlier in 2025, similar incidents included police shootouts with robbery suspects on the N12 near Voortrekker Road, where four armed men were killed after robbing a liquor store. In another case from April, suspects fleeing a business robbery opened fire on officers, leading to a gun battle that closed lanes and caused delays. These events point to a pattern of criminal activity using highways for escapes or ambushes, often linked to organised syndicates.
Residents in Alberton and surrounding areas like Brackenhurst have long complained about safety on these roads, with faulty traffic lights and poor maintenance adding to the risks. Just last month, provincial officials stepped in to address ongoing issues at intersections like the R59 off-ramp and Swartkoppies Road, where accidents are common due to malfunctioning signals. Community leaders have called for more patrols and better lighting to deter crime.
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