Scottish scientist dies in South African car-jacking incident

A Scottish scientist has been shot and killed in an incident which saw his car stolen in South Africa, it emerged today.

Rod Smart, 61, who worked for mining firm Minova in South Africa, was attacked on a petrol station forecourt in the Johannesburg suburb of Booysens 10 days ago.

He was shot in the chest before his attackers made off in the black BMW 320i he had been driving. The chemical scientist died at the scene.

Detective Constable Mathabo Mosoeunyane, who is heading the investigation, told the Press and Journal newspaper: "We are working on getting images of the suspect from the footage, which we hope to release.

"We have interviewed witnesses and we took fingerprints from Mr Smart's car, which was found abandoned in the middle of the street."

It is understood that Dr Smart had worked in South Africa for the past 20 years, but planned to retire back to the Highlands where he still owned a home.