CEO of Gupta mining firm gunned down in apparent hit

A CEO of a Gupta-owned mining company, which is facing liquidation, has allegedly been assassinated in hit and run.

JIC Mining Services chief executive Jagannath Prasad “JP” Arora was apparently ensnared by gunmen while driving on New Road, Midrand, on Saturday night.

The vehicle he was driving was sprayed with bullets which hit him claiming his life shortly after the attack that happened after 11 pm, according to police.

According to reports, Arora was alone in the car and  had made an attempt to save his life by driving to a hospital nearby. However, he did not manage to make it on time.

He lost a lot of blood due to extensive injuries he suffered.

“The man was shot and drove for some time,” Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele told The Star yesterday.

“He stopped when he became powerless. He was certified dead on the road. Police found him already dead in his car when he was already dead.

Arora’s attackers fled after their attack, leaving police to launch a manhunt.

The motive of the killing is not yet known, the investigation could likely shed light on why he was gunned down and who wanted him dead.

“The suspects have not been arrested,” said Makhubele. police urged anyone with information to come forward.

JIC Mining Services is one of the Gupta-owned companies facing liquidation. It is formally registered as Westdawn Investments. They are specialised in underground mining in the gold, platinum and chrome sectors.

It was incapacitated which rose to almost R60 million. The application to liquidate JIC was brought by Kal Tire Mining, which was owed R900000.

Approximately, 800 workers were facing losing their jobs at JIC. Arora was  expected to return to his home country, India, after JIC’s liquidation.