Controversial tow truck-owner shot in vehicle

Port Elizabeth – Controversial local tow truck operator Raven Rungan is in a stable condition in hospital after being shot four times while he was waiting at a stop street on Wednesday morning.

The hunt is now on for the man who walked over to Rungan, fired multiple shots into the vehicle, and then drove off in a white bakkie.

Police spokesperson warrant officer Alwin Labans said the 43-year-old Rungan was on his way to work at his company, V&R Towing, when he stopped at a three way stop in Ben Fleur Road, Kamma Ridge at 09:30.

Labans said while Rungan was at the intersection, a man apparently approached him and opened fire, hitting Rungan in the upper body four times.

“The man is believed to have then fled the scene in a white bakkie,” he said.

Labans said Rungan was transported to Greenacres Hospital.

Rungan has been involved in a number of controversies in Nelson Mandela Bay and has been in and out of court over the past few months relating to a number of civil and criminal cases.

In January this year, Rungan was placed at the centre of a brewing tow truck war, with allegations of death threats, arson attacks and racism, and a monopoly between Nelson Mandela Bay’s notorious and highly lucrative tow truck and vehicle repair industry.

He has also been accused of having assisted the now suspended Nelson Mandela Bay head of communication, Roland Williams, with submitting a fraudulent claim to Sanlam insurance.

It is alleged that Rungan instructed former employees of his tow truck company to damage Williams vehicle to make it look as if the vehicle had been in an accident.

In another case, Rungan faced charges of intimidation, crimen injuria and common assault following alleged threats made over the phone to a car assessment agent.

Among the alleged threats made, which were reportedly recorded, a man is heard saying: “I will fuck with your family now. Your life is fucked. I will get black people to rape you.”

Rungan was also facing a charge of culpable homicide after he allegedly hit and killed an 18-year-old Muir College pupil, Anre Grobbelaar, with his BMW M5 in Circular Drive in December 2010.

Derrick Spies, News24 Correspondent