A Florentia family is left with thousands of rands worth of damages and a distraught 12-year-old child who needs therapy.
What was supposed to be normal shopping turned out to be the worst day of their lives.
After visiting Helen’s Centre on October 22, learners of Parklands High School stormed up on Shannon Botha and her son.
Upon entering the centre, a large crowd of learners gathered. When trying to exit they gave way until one learner lay in front of her car, stopping her from leaving.
“They then started jumping on my car. Luckily, I was composed and I just put my car in reverse to get to safety where there were other people and shopkeepers.
“My car is still damaged. I didn’t get any joy from our justice system,” she said.
After getting a few quotes, her husband Basil told the RECORD that it will cost them R13 000 to R16 000 to have the car fixed.
“The insurance doesn’t want to pay out to have the damages fixed. We opened three cases of malicious damage, but one of the children’s parents who were involved has already paid an amount and we have decided to focus on the other two learners,” he said.
He said with parents not coming to the party, they plan to take this matter to the Small Claims Courts to be compensated for these damages.
WATCH: A video showing a shopper’s vehicle being damaged by learners
“My son suffered mentally and we will have to take him for counselling before things deteriorate. We need to have this car fixed before the December holidays because we already had plans for the festive season and we can’t cancel that,” said Botha.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona previously told the RECORD that they were aware of the incident and those accountable were brought to book.
WATCH: ‘Trash Day’ brings Florentia shopping centre to a halt
