A BLUFF woman recounted the frightening and bloody night at Ansteys Beach, after a misunderstanding led to a hail of bullets injuring at least five of her friends on Saturday, 12 January.
It was supposed to be a night of celebration for the woman and her family, who were celebrating her husband’s 50th birthday on the beach.
Havoc broke loose over a pair of pliers. “When it was time for us to leave, one of our friend’s car keys broke in the ignition. So we were asking people for help when five men stopped. We asked them for a pair of pliers and for some reason, they started swearing us.
In the midst of the swearing and confusion, an argument broke out. The men left and went into a nearby B&B and a few minutes later, we heard gunshots,” said the woman.
She said people identified the men’s weapons as R5 rifles. Although Rescue Care Paramedics, which responded to the scene, only reported treating three people, the woman said five of her friends were shot. She said two of them made their own way to hospital to seek treatment.
“I have no words for what happened, I’m just in shock. Five of my friends were shot – one in the jaw and another in the eye and leg. Both went for surgery yesterday, and thankfully none of them died as a result of this shooting,” she added.
The woman was in her car with her children, watching the whole commotion, while she heard about 45 rounds being fired.
READ: Bloody night as shooting rocks Bluff beach
KZN SAPS’ Capt Gwala Nqobile confirmed there was an altercation between two groups, and that shots were fired as the argument became heated. Three people who sustained injuries were rushed to hospital. The firearms used during the altercation were seized by police and will be subjected to ballistic testing. Charges of attempted murder and assault are being investigated by Brighton Beach SAPS.
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Rescue Care Paramedics found three people lying on the ground, all with gunshot wounds. Two women and a man, all believed to be in their 20s, were shot. More ambulances and advanced life support paramedics were called to assist. Police closed the road while they combed the scene to investigate the shooting.
ET’s tactical response team, and COP members, also responded to the shooting scene. “Our TRT team stood off within minutes and were faced with rifle-bearing suspects. Spent rifle cartridges were all over the scene, with multiple gunshot victims. A short but intense stand-off took place between our first responder Louis and the suspects. Fortunately, the situation was diffused,” said Craig Couldron.
