A Kuils River woman has lost an eye after she was shot in the face during a land invasion protest in Kalkfontein on Saturday.
Nontuthezelo Thafeni, 46, is currently in Tygerberg Hospital receiving treatment, according to her daughter Babalwa.
It is alleged that she was hit by a City Law Enforcement officer during a clash.
Kalkfontein residents accused Law Enforcement of firing shots at them without provocation on Saturday.
Babalwa says her mother was in the yard when the bullet smashed into her eye.
“She has a brick house and she was inside her yard when the bullet hit her. She was not part of the protest,” she says.
“She was all swollen up when I saw her in hospital and was in pain. We do not know when she will be discharged. I want justice for my mother.”
She says doctors removed her mom’s eye on Monday and they are now waiting for her to be discharged so she can lay a charge with police.
The area is one of many areas that has been affected by recent land invasion protests.
A liquor store was looted in the same area on Saturday.
Community leader Luvuyo Ntakana claimed it was Law Enforcement officials who shot at Nontuthezelo.
“Their eviction was unlawful and when people questioned that, they started shooting,” he says.
“Her house is far from the land that was occupied, they must pay for what they did.”
The City’s acting Executive Director for Safety and Security Wayne le Roux said: “The City’s Law Enforcement Department is not aware of this, as nothing has been reported to us. It is advised that the person reports the matter to the SAPS for investigation.”
Mayco Member for Human Settlements Malusi Booi dismissed all the allegations.
“The residents are aware that these are attempts to illegally invade land which they are not allowed to do. This is not an eviction,” he told Cape Times.
“This was an operation to prevent the illegal occupation of land. The City removed the illegally erected structures.”
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za