Cape barber hit by stray bullet
CONCERN: Barber Said Wakonwa, 39. Picture: Leon Knipe
A Manenberg barber fears he may no longer be able to provide for his family after he was hit in the arm by a gang bullet during a shooting on Tuesday.
Said Wakonwa, 39, says he was walking to the taxi terminus when skollies opened fire on each other and he was hit by a stray bullet.
“I was walking on Manenberg Avenue towards the taxis at about 5pm when they started shooting.
“The moment I got shot I could feel the pain and started running for my life because I was scared I would get hit again.”
Wakonwa ran across Duinefontein Road to the home of Sumaya Fortuin, 54, who says she got a skrik when she saw all the blood.
“The blood was just coming and coming and we all were in shock. We called a neighbour who came to take him to Heideveld [Emergency Centre] so he could get help,” says Sumaya.
Wakonwa says doctors informed him that the bullet entered his elbow and exited through his forearm.
“I have to go back so they can do stitches but it is so painful. I have been working at the barber shop here in Tambo Village for 10 years to support my family in Congo, but what if my arm is never the same again.
“Only my left arm was affected, but I need both sides to cut hair.”
When the Daily Voice arrived at the barbershop on Wednesday Wakonwa was sitting in pain in his blood stained clothes saying he was waiting for police to take his statement.
However, Police Spokesperson Mihlali Majikela says: “Manenberg police have no record of the incident referred to."