Witness describes horror of finding Brit tourist dad, 40, dead slumped at wheel of bullet-riddled car in South Africa

A witness has described the horrifying moment when he found a British father slumped dead at the wheel of his bullet-riddled car in Cape Town.

Kar Hao Teoh’s car was blown up several times after taking a wrong turn amid a riot in riot-hit Nyanga, near the South African city’s airport.

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Community worker Dumisani Qwebe revealed how he saw Mr Teoh, 40, slump in the passenger seat of his silver Toyota Rav 4 vacation rental and was killed by a single bullet.

The area has seen clashes on the road sparked by a week-long taxi drivers’ strike and the Singapore-born Briton is said to have been killed when he stopped the car.

Police liaison officer Mr Qwebe found the victim’s traumatized wife Sara and their two-year-old son Hugo shaking with shock near the scene of the crime.

He had been driving through the troubled area when officers cordoned off the area shortly after the shooting.

Mr Qwebe, secretary of the Nyanga Community Police Forum, told The Sun: “The doors were wide open so I could see inside.”

“Both the windshield and the driver’s window were shattered by gunfire and the driver fell into the passenger seat.

“Several shots were fired and it looked like one hit him in the head.”

A few minutes later, the officer entered Nyanga Police Station, where he saw the victim’s family members – two women in their 40s and a child.

The three passengers – including Hugo – were taken to hospital for treatment for severe trauma.

Mr Qwebe said: “I could see that they were all very traumatised.”

“They were still shaking and the police were trying to calm them down. They didn’t look hurt, but there were bloodstains on their clothes.”

A Cape Town Police spokesman said Mr Teoh was found dead in the driver’s seat with a gunshot wound to the head.

Mr Teoh, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, has worked as a trauma and orthopedic consultant and has been the recipient of several international fellowships.

He was stationed at the NHS Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

Harley Street colleague Professor Paul Lee described the doctor as a “guiding light” in an emotional tribute.

He said, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and dear friend, Mr. Kar Teoh, a respected trauma and orthopedic consultant, who left us far too soon.”

“He was a guiding star in our professional world, a loyal friend and a cornerstone of many significant projects.”

“For those of us who have had the privilege of calling him a friend and colleague, Kar was a trustworthy and steadfast figure.

“The loss of Mr. Kar Teoh leaves a void in ours hearts and community.

“His professional dedication was unparalleled, but it is his personal warmth, dedication to friendship and unwavering support that we will remember fondly.”

Prof Lee said a JustGiving page had been set up to commemorate Mr Teoh to support his family – who raised £25,000 in a matter of hours.

Friends were invited to send pictures and memories of the popular surgeon.

Two years ago, Mr. Teoh won the President’s Prize at the European Foot and Ankle Society Conference in Lyons for his research.

The surgeon’s former neighbors were shocked to learn of his tragic death.

Julia Coombs, 41, said: “It’s very, very sad – he wasn’t old at all. He had a small child. It’s shocking – a poor family.”

The mother-of-one added, “He was very friendly and down to earth – very polite and helpful.”

Residents on the quiet street in Bishop’s Stortford said the Teoh family moved out in June.

dr Teoh is said to have moved in four years ago before his wife Sara, who works as a dentist, followed.

The neighbor, who asked not to be named, added: “I only heard the news this morning, I was quite shocked – it happened right in front of his family.”

She said an elderly couple believed to be either Dr. Teoh or his wife also live in the townhouse with a middle terrace and would take the doctors’ couple’s small child to kindergarten.

Lirandzu Themba, the police minister’s spokeswoman, said the doctor took a wrong turn towards Nyanga.

“Several suspects approached his vehicle in Ntlangano Crescent, shot and killed him. So far there have been no arrests,” she said.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed that they were supporting Mr Teoh’s family and were speaking to local authorities.

Protests erupted after the introduction of a law giving authorities the power to confiscate taxi drivers’ vehicles if they drove without a license or number plate.

Last week, police officers began impounding vehicles – leading to violence as protesters set buses and cars on fire and threw stones at police.

The office Cape Town City Council said the riots had hit commuters and left people stranded due to attacks on public transport.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said: “In Cape Town, violence will never be tolerated as a negotiating tactic.”

Nyanga is one of the most dangerous places in South Africa.