The editor of The Mercury, David Canning, is recovering at Durban's St Augustine Hospital in Durban after an attempted highjacking that left him with a bullet lodged in his thigh on Tuesday night.

The editor of The Mercury, David Canning, is recovering at Durban's St Augustine Hospital in Durban after an attempted highjacking that left him with a bullet lodged in his thigh on Tuesday night.

Canning was shot outside his home in Kloof, west of Durban.

Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, after successful surgery to remove the bullet, he said the incident was an indication that crime was high in the country.

He was a victim of one of five hijackings in the area of Pinetown on Tuesday alone.

Frightened locals believe a gang is targeting the area and operating in the area.

Police have made no arrests yet.

Provincial government spokesman Mandla Msomi said: "We condemn the shooting in the strongest possible terms and call on the police to speedily arrest those responsible ." - Canaan Mdletshe