Key Takeaways
- Faisal ul Rehman, a 48‑year‑old father of two, was shot dead during a road‑rage altercation in Emmarentia, Johannesburg.
- His wife, Tehseen, retrieved a firearm after a minor collision; the other driver, also armed, opened fire, killing Rehman and wounding Tehseen.
- The couple’s two young children witnessed the shooting; the daughter wailed beside her father’s body while the son attempted CPR.
- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced it will not prosecute the shooter at this stage, pending further investigation.
- Rehman was the sole financial supporter of more than 15 households in Pakistan, sending money home each month from his car‑dealership business in Pretoria.
- After recovering from her injuries, Tehseen learned of her husband’s death and, with the family, decided to repatriate his body to Pakistan for burial.
- Hundreds of mourners gathered at Westpark Cemetery for prayers before the casket was carried to the airport for its final journey home.
- Relatives reject any claim of self‑defence, insisting the shooter could have disabled Rehman without killing him and vow to pursue justice.
Incident Overview
On Sunday afternoon a minor collision between two vehicles on Barry Hertzog Avenue in Emmarentia quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi explained that after the crash, Tehseen Rehman retrieved a firearm from her car. The other driver, who was also armed, responded by opening fire. The exchange resulted in Faisal ul Rehman being shot dead, while Tehseen sustained injuries to her hand and shoulder. The entire ordeal unfolded in full view of the couple’s two young children, who were left traumatized by the sudden loss of their father and the sight of their mother bleeding on the roadside.
Eyewitness Accounts and Video Evidence
Cellphone footage captured the chaotic scene and has been widely circulated online. In the video, Rehman’s daughter is seen on the ground beside her father’s body, wailing inconsolably. A short distance away, her little brother presses his bloodied hands into his father’s chest, repeatedly performing CPR in a desperate attempt to revive him. Their mother, shot and bleeding, sits slumped nearby, awaiting medical assistance. The raw imagery has intensified public outrage and underscored the brutal reality of how a trivial traffic dispute can spiral into lethal violence within seconds.
Medical Aftermath and Arrest
Both Tehseen and the other driver were rushed to hospital for treatment. Tehseen survived her wounds, while the other driver sustained injuries as well. Police arrested a 58‑year‑old man at the scene, initially suspecting him of being the shooter. However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) later announced that, after careful consideration of the available evidence, it had decided not to prosecute the matter at this time, opting instead to await further investigation before making a final charging decision.
Family’s Grief and Decision‑Making
Tehseen did not learn of her husband’s death until Monday, more than 24 hours after the shooting, as the family withheld the news while she recovered in hospital. Once she was informed, she became the only person capable of deciding whether Faisal’s body would be buried in South Africa or sent back to Pakistan. According to Muhammad Wasi Haider, Rehman’s nephew, the family faced a painful dilemma: “We had to tell her because we needed to know what to do with the deceased, whether we were sending Faisal to Pakistan, whether we were doing the burial in SA.” The emotional weight of the decision added to the family’s anguish, compounded by the fact that Tehseen had just survived a shooting herself.
Repatriation to Pakistan
Ultimately, the family chose to return Rehman’s remains to Pakistan. Haider, the son of Rehman’s sister, travelled to the mortuary on Monday to collect the body, describing his mental state as fractured: “I consider myself a very smart person, but my brain is not working. I went to his house and I just couldn’t.” Rehman had worked as a car dealer in Pretoria, rebuilding and selling vehicles, and held a licensed firearm due to the nature of his business—though Haider doubts his uncle ever used it for recreation. The repatriation process involved coordinating funeral rites, navigating international logistics, and preparing the body for its final journey home.
Financial Impact and Provider Role
Beyond the emotional toll, Rehman’s death precipitated a severe financial crisis for his extended family in Pakistan. Haider emphasized that Rehman was the sole provider for more than 15 households, sending money back home each month to support relatives who relied on his income. “Back in Pakistan, more than 15 households depended on Rehman to survive,” Haider stated. The loss of his remittances threatens the livelihoods of those families, raising concerns about food security, education, and healthcare for dependents who now face an uncertain future without their primary breadwinner.
Legal and Moral Reflections
Haider rejected any notion that the shooting constituted self‑defence, arguing that the aggressor had alternatives to lethal force. “Faisal did not point the firearm at him and start shooting,” he said. “That person could have avoided killing Faisal. He could have shot him anywhere else to disarm him. But he shot to kill him.” He expressed a firm resolve to pursue justice, vowing to use every available avenue to hold the shooter accountable. The family’s stance highlights a broader societal debate about gun ownership, escalation of minor disputes, and the need for de‑escalation strategies in potentially volatile situations.
Community Response and Funeral
On Tuesday night, hundreds of mourners gathered at Westpark Cemetery to pray over Rehman’s body. The casket, draped in a white burial cloth, lay at the front of the room as loved ones raised their hands in supplication. Some wept openly, while others whispered prayers for the departed soul. After the prayers, a group of men hoisted the casket onto their shoulders and carried it out of the venue, marking the beginning of Rehman’s final journey to Pakistan. The solemn procession served as both a tribute to a beloved father and husband and a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked road rage.
Ongoing Efforts and Conclusion
As the family prepares to lay Faisal ul Rehman to rest in his homeland, they continue to grapple with grief, financial insecurity, and a quest for accountability. The NPA’s decision to withhold charges pending further investigation leaves the case in a state of limbo, but relatives remain determined to see justice served. The tragedy has sparked conversations about responsible firearm use, the importance of conflict‑resolution training, and the need for support systems for victims of violent crime. In the wake of this loss, the Rehman family’s resilience—evident in their efforts to honor their loved one’s memory while navigating an uncertain future—stands as a testament to the strength of community bonds even amid profound sorrow.