The lives of the family of Matthew Mayston have been brought to a standstill after the 25-year-old was shot in his lower body while walking the family dogs during the late afternoon of 15 June.
“On the day that it happened, the feeling of shock was immense. A person could not help but feel angered. Once the next day came, feelings of anxiety started to set in,” said Matthew’s father Anthony Mayston.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Kay Makhubela confirmed that Matthew was shot by armed suspects in the late afternoon of 15 June. Makhubela said Matthew was walking on Benjamin Street in Olivedale when a white Kia Picanto stopped near him abruptly. He added that two armed suspects jumped out of their vehicle and demanded Matthew’s cell phone. One suspect opened fire, hitting him in his lower body before fleeing the scene.
Matthew was airlifted to Milpark Hospital and stabilised, but not being on a medical aid or a hospital plan, he had to be transferred to the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital for further treatment. “The costs of this whole ordeal are astronomically high if you are not on medical aid. Thankfully, he is receiving good treatment there, but we do worry about further costs that will arise after his treatment,” said Anthony. On the morning of 17 June, Matthew had to be tested for Covid-19 before being admitted to the hospital and it came back as negative. Due to this, he has now been moved from the quarantine holding ward to a normal ward. “The next step is to operate on his leg and to remove the bullet in his pelvis area, which is still there,” added Anthony.
Due to the placement of the bullet, the procedure to remove it is highly complex. Matthew’s friends and family hope that he is able to pull through this ordeal. He has a bright future ahead of him and is currently a candidate attorney. Due to the fact that Mathew had to be airlifted to Milpark Hospital and stabilised there, some costs have occurred.
A campaign has been started by the ex-high school friends of Matthew to raise much-needed medical funds for his treatment. “On behalf of Matt’s family, we would just like to thank everyone for your kind and selfless support. We could not have begun to imagine the overwhelming support this campaign has received,” said ex-Bryanston High School friend Cayley Jorgensen.
The campaign started on 17 June and has thus far generated almost R300 000 in generous donations from friends, family and the kind hearts of community members, both locally and internationally. “I think that the care they have shown towards their friend has been amazing. Our entire family appreciates it, and we know that it will help him a lot.
“We would also like to thank the Olivedale community for their kindness and support,” concluded Anthony.
Jorgensen concluded that if anyone would like to donate to help Matthew in his recovery and to assist the family in paying the medical bills, they are welcome to do so.
All funds will go towards covering the initial medical bills and rehabilitation support that Matthew will need thereafter.
Donate: www.backabuddy.co.za/matthew-mayston
