Stray bullet hits Westdene senior citizen
WESTDENE – Removing stray bullet could cause more harm than good if removed.
The Holloway family and residents of a Westdene old age home are looking for justice after resident Margaret Holloway (75) was struck by a stray bullet on September 5.
The elderly woman was outside in her garden at the home at the same time when the funeral of late former president of the now-disbanded Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association, Kebby Maphatsoe was taking place at West Park Cemetery. Apparently, shots were fired into the air by funeral-goers using live ammunition.
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Holloway explained, “I went outside to feed the birds and as I came back I felt this terrible pain at the back of my leg just as I was walking in. I though a vein had burst… and I couldn’t walk but fortunately I had my walker.”
Apparently, as Holloway was walking back, she lost her footing, fell and hit her head. “As I fell, I hit my head on the ground and there was blood. I still didn’t know what was happening so I crawled back in and called a friend to come help me.”
Prior to her fall, Holloway confirmed that she heard gunshots being fired in the distance at about 16:30. The friend arrived and assisted Holloway. “We found it strange that we heard these gunshots and wondered if maybe I was shot. We got the pants which I had taken off due to the bleeding and as we looked at them we saw a hole where I was feeling the pain and bleeding.”
That’s when she discovered that she had been shot and an ambulance was immediately called for her. She was advised to go to her nearest hospital which was Helen Joseph where she allegedly waited almost 24 hours before being assisted.
“It was very busy and there were no beds due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I had to wait around 24 hours, sitting in the wheelchair and trying to sleep on the bench but I couldn’t because of the pain I was in.” She was eventually allocated a bed and treated and said the service was ‘brilliant’ and that the staff were kind and helpful.
Unfortunately, she was told that the bullet could not be removed as it could cause further damage but would be required to return for regular check-ups. According to Holloway, she will be informed in the near future whether or not the bullet will be removed as the hospital continues to monitor her recovery.
