A 16-year-old learner claimed he was hit by a rubber bullet that police fired during recent protests in Mohlakeng.
Thabo* has lost his left central incisor and lateral incisor teeth (upper jaw) when the rubber bullet torn his mouth. He has since been at home slowly recovering and taking a break in the middle of his mid-year exams. The visibly distraught mother of the Grade 9 learner, Lesego*, said he had been at his friend’s home when the incident happened.
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Lesego said Thabo called her shortly before the incident and said he felt unsafe to come home as the police were dispersing protesters with rubber bullets. Thabo said he went to his friend’s house instead to wait for the situation to calm down. She said she got the shock of her life when she was told about her son’s injuries.
“I then received a call from one of the witnesses saying that my son had been shot. I immediately panicked and started wondering if my son was alive,” the unemployed mother said.
Thabo, struggling to speak because of his injuries, said he was shot when he was peeking outside to check if things had calmed down.
“All I saw was a his arms. I looked outside and when he saw my face he fired a shot. He thought I was one of the rioters who was hiding from the police,” Thabo said in pain.
The mother said she panicked even more when she could not get her son any medical assistance due to the clinic in Mohlakeng having been burnt during the mayhem in the area.
She said she became even more worried when Thabo’s wound became infected. “It was bleeding and started swelling. I was terrified when his complexion changed.” She said she rushed him off to Leratong Hospital where he was discharged two days later.
She said she hopes that her son will get justice for what the police did to him.
“I hate the police for what they did to my son,” Lesego said.
Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson said, “No record of this alleged incident could be found. If an incident of this nature is not reported at the police, an investigation cannot be conducted. As a result of aforementioned, this office is unable to comment on the matter. The parents of the minor are requested to report the incident as soon as possible.”
*Names have been changed as the boy is a minor – Ed.
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