A tremor was felt in the underworld on Monday evening after news got out that Farouk Meyer was gunned down in an apparent ambush.
Farouk Meyer gunned down in violent ambush
Multiple reports confirmed that the Eldorado Park businessman was parked outside of his auto spares shop in Extension 9 when suddenly, his car was struck by a hail of gunfire.
Inside, Meyer and an unknown occupant suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The driver was killed instantly and when paramedics arrived on the scene, the businessman was clinging onto life. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but despite the medics’ best efforts, Meyer was certified DOA.
It’s believed at least 36 bullet holes pierced the car. Whoever was responsible made sure to leave little room for Meyer, the intended target of the ambush, to survive.
Confirmed: Businessman and alleged local underworld boss Farouk Meyer and an associate have been shot and killed outside his business premises in Ext 9, Eldorado Park. I overheard a Saps officer tell bystanders on the scene 36 shots fired. @mailandguardian pic.twitter.com/QBFbjXqGCl
— Tunicia Phillips (@Tuniciap) April 26, 2021
The Johannesburg town went into an unnerving evening with murmurs rumbling on who may have been behind such a brazen act against one of the most feared crime bosses in Gauteng.
This link remains missing in the police’s investigation. The gunmen behind the violent ambush are still at large and from what we understand, the ‘first 48’ is experiencing a slow start.
An old score settled?
Meyer was an interesting character in his rise to notoriety in South Africa’s criminal underworld. In November 2000 and 24 years old at the time, Meyer was involved in a shootout at a night club in Hillfox, Roodepoort.
Two gunshots were fired inside the establishment but, in a bizarre twist, three people were killed. The triple murder was pinned on Meyer and he served nine years at Groenpunt Prison in Vereeniging.
The entire time, the convicted killer pleaded his innocence. In his view, he was framed by the justice system. An independent forensic pathology report and accounts from witnesses who claim they were bribed by an investigator was his defence, but it fell on deaf ears.
So, nine years into his bid, Meyer conjured up a daring escape. He went into hiding, contacted Radio 702 and demanded a negotiation of surrender with police.
A day or so later, the then-33-year-old was dropped off by a taxi outside Sandton police station dressed in a suit. He was booked and spent five years in confinement.
In 2014, working with the Wits Justice Project, Meyer was granted parole and for seven years, he kept his dealings away from the precinct – until now.
The same police he clashed with have to find answers to his violent murder and at this time, not much has been uncovered.
