On Tuesday (20/5) morning, three suspects opened fire with an AK-47 assault rifle at the busy taxi rank in Meyerton's CBD.

Police cordoned off the scene, while they urged the public to avoid the area while they continued to process the scene and gather more information.

A learner was injured during the chaos. Photo: Facebook/Midvaal Community

Authorities have confirmed three suspects were arrested, though the motive remained unclear, said the Gauteng Vaal traffic and emergency services. The local taxi association could be involved, given the location and the nature of the attack.

A learner was injured during the chaos, suffering a gunshot wound to the leg. The child was promptly attended to by emergency services and transported to a nearby hospital.

“Our children were not in harm at any time; the principal just made the decision to evacuate,” said Laerskool Midvaal secretary Anna-Marie Heine. “Nothing was happening at our school.

“The pupil who is alleged to have been shot is definitely not one of our children, but one of the high school children, and he was not shot; it was just a flesh wound.”

About 60 bullet casings were discovered outside the nearby Spar, “reinforcing the randomness and danger of the attack”, said Facebook user Maritza van der Walt, a member of the Meyerton community.

Police allegedly responded quickly after the gunshots were heard as far away as a local primary school, which prompted an emergency evacuation.

Parents gathered in front of Dr. Malan’s West Gate to pick up their children. Photo: Vaalweekblad

The school was evacuated as a precautionary measure, with teachers and students being ushered to safety. Parents were advised to pick up their children from the school.

Users on the Midvaal Community Facebook page allege the shooting could be about taxi routes to the new mall in Meyerton.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg