There was nearly a death at a funeral after heartless rival skollies opened fire at a packed cemetery in Kraaifontein.
The incident on Saturday has left an innocent woman, attending the burial of her ouma, wounded after a bullet ripped through her stomach.
Angelica Fransman, 32, was shot as they lay her granny Roseline Olifant to rest at Kraaifontein Cemetery.
A family member, who asked not to be named, says Angelica was shot by thugs at the grave site.
“The cemetery was full as there were many burials. People had to run for their lives as the bullets started flying,” the traumatised relative says.
“The frightened people fell over the graves and gravestones and crosses as they ran to their cars.
“It happened while we were covering ouma Rose’s grave with sand, her casket was already in the hole.
“We don’t know who was shooting at who, but we heard two rival gangsters who were shot in Kraaifontein over the past two weeks were being buried at the same time, and then the manskappe started shooting.
“Our funeral was almost done when the shooting started, and the cemetery was empty within minutes as everyone ran.
“And then Angelica, who is the grandchild, fell down.
“She’d been standing under the gazebo when she was shot in the stomach.
“People called the ambulance and Fire and Rescue Services and the police and she was taken to hospital.
“There was another man who was wounded but he was taken away by his own people, I don’t know how badly he was hurt or where.”
“It was very traumatic for us as a family to say goodbye to our grandmother in such a way.
“We are just grateful that nobody was killed.”
Angelica was still receiving hospital treatment on Sunday.
Another funeral goer said it was “unforgivable” that gangsters would shoot at a begrafplaas.
“They have no respect, now many families are experiencing double trauma,” the mourner says.
“We are safe nowhere anymore, not even at cemeteries while laying our dead to rest.”
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg says: “Kraaifontein Police are investigating a shooting incident on Saturday at a cemetery in Kraaifontein where a 32-year-old female was shot and wounded.
“An attempted murder case docket was opened for investigation.
“According to reports, the woman was hit in the stomach by a stray bullet.
“The victim was taken to a medical facility for medical treatment.”
Anyone with information about this shooting incident can contact 08600 10111.