No leg to stand on: Singer says he paid for prosthesis but didn’t get it
|Published
IN LEG DISPUTE: Wheelchair-bound Toyer Abrahams needs prosthetic
Legendary Cape Town singer Toyer Abrahams says he is struggling to get his prosthetic leg from the manufacturer, which he paid for last year already.
Toyer, 59, who lives in Hazendal, Athlone, lost a leg due to diabetes and is wheelchair-bound.
He says he needs the prosthetic leg to walk.
Toyer says he paid R10 000 for the leg but when he received it, the foot size was a six, when he told the manufacturer that he wears a size 9 shoe.
He returned the leg to have it adjusted but says two years later he is still waiting while Zahied Adams, the prosthetist, keeps him on a lyntjie.
When the Daily Voice contacted Adams, he said the reason why he hasn’t returned the leg yet is because Toyer lives in a dangerous area.
He said he’s also had an eye operation which delayed things.
According to Adams, who owns a private practice in Thornton, he was actually doing Toyer a big favour by selling him the leg cheaply, while the singer also didn’t “qualify” for prosthesis due to his weight.
“Two years ago he asked me to make him a leg, which he didn't have money for,” Adams said.
“I made the leg and got him a sponsor, I charged him a lousy R25 000 for this leg, of which he gave R10 000, the leg he got was worth more than
R50 000 at the time but I gave it for R25 000 because I looked at his circumstances.
“The size 6 foot is what I had in stock. He wants everything free and doesn't want to pay.”
Adams added Toyer will “never walk again because he eats all day and weighs over 140kg”.
“Toyer does not qualify for a prosthetic leg because of his weight, I have also given him rehab but he didn't make it.
“I still made him a leg because he is a singer. It would be nice for him to just be able to stand up from his wheelchair, it would be good for his self-esteem but he is not coming to the party and blaming me for all this.”
Adams insisted he was not at fault and threatened to “hurt Toyer very badly” if the story goes public.
Toyer said on Wednesday he received the size 6 leg shortly after the Daily Voice called Adams: “It’s fine.
“I will settle for this, there’s nothing else I can do.”