Man’s arm hacked off in chainsaw attack

A Zimbabwean man is fighting for his life in hospital after he was attacked with a chainsaw on his birthday.

Andy Makoma, 37, in is a critical condition after losing his arm when his neighbour allegedly attacked him outside his home on Saturday in front of his wife and three young children, reports IOL.

A 34-year-old man was arrested and was due to appear at the Paarl Magistrate’s Court today on charges of attempted murder, says police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut.

It’s believed that Andy was a victim of a xenophobic attack.

On Saturday, the father of three was entering his driveway in his car when a woman started screaming at him.

Andy was later confronted by the suspect’s husband after parking his car, when the drama unfolded in front of his family.

His South African wife, Beauty Busuku-Makoma, 38, who was shoved out of the way when she tried to intervene, told IOL on Wednesday: ’’Andy is undergoing many operations on his body and face. He is still in a critical condition, but they are hopeful of saving his other arm“.

Beauty says she and her kids are living in fear and she has had to send her 11-year-old son to stay with her sister.

’’I had to take my 11-year-old boy to my sister in Khayelitsha because he is not coping well around the house and is scared the suspect might attack him after seeing his father being attacked. My girls and I are scared and don’t feel comfortable in our home,“ she says.

She adds: “I would have liked to go to court but the police didn’t inform me that the suspect was appearing in court today. I know the suspect as we live in the same street. Everything happened in front of me.’’

Andy’s employer, Jeanne Farley says it took police two days to arrest the suspect.

’’The police in Franschhoek were so slack it took them two days before they locked up the suspect“, she says.

“We are hoping that the State prosecutor will ensure a proper sentence for the man who attacked Andy.’’

In a Facebook post, Jeanne Farley’ son Brian said at the weekend: ’’Please help our dear friend Andy Makoma. The person came into his house and tried to murder him in front of his wife and 3 young children.

’’He is in critical condition and might not make it. All we can hope for is that he lives at this stage. We are asking for any donations, money, food, items whatever you can spare for him and his family.

’’Immediate priorities are his health and getting him the best care possible. If he doesn't survive, all proceeds will obviously go to his family. I've started a fundraiser.

’’In the meantime, if anyone has anything to spare please call 082 321 1113 (Jeanne Farley). This is the second time he has been viciously attacked for xenophobic reasons.

’’The first time they stabbed him in the head. He was forced to move to his current locality for his safety and has now become the victim of another attack.

'’He is an honest, hard-working, good human being who deserves all the help he can get. Please, if you can do anything to help Andy it will be most appreciated.’’

IOL