Several loud gunshots rocked the eerie silence of Sugarcane Street in South Ruimveldt on Saturday night outside the home of Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.

The incident reportedly took place just after 9pm. The Minister’s wife was in the yard at the time and quickly sought cover after hearing the gunfire. Police sources said more than 15 spent shells were picked up outside the residence, and it is suspected that the shooting was carried out by more than one person in a car that drove by the house.

In a brief statement on his Facebook page, Minister Edghill said “the Lord has been our protector. The Edghill’s family is safe in God’s hands”.

The area around the house was cordoned off on Saturday night as family members and other persons in the neighbourhood, including the security based at the Minister’s residence were questioned.

Two weeks ago, there was an attempt to burn down the Minister’s church on Durban Street.

A section of the building was gutted, but quick action by the Fire Service, contained the blaze to only one section of the building.

Surveillance video recordings captured a man, dressed in a hoodie heading into the building with a bottle in his hand and leaving moments before the fire was spotted. Fire investigators have said the fire was an act of arson, and the incident remains under active investigation.

Investigators are now looking to see if the two incidents are related, even as they are still to ascertain the motives.

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