A seven-year-old Manenberg laaitie, who was shot in his sleep during a gang shootout, is on the road to recovery and his family is appealing for help to make their house safer before he returns home.
The family of Toufiek Johnson were relieved this week when he was finally discharged from the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU) at Red Cross Hospital after undergoing surgery to repair his internal organs.
The Grade 1 learner from Rio Grande Primary School has spent the past two weeks in a hospital bed after being struck in the back by a stray bullet while sleeping in his parents’ Wendy house in Red River Street on 1 June.
His family woke up to the sound of gunshots and screams from the little boy as he collapsed in pain on his parents’ bed.
Dad Gershwen, 33, says the bullet ripped through his intestines and was lodged in his kidney.
PENETRATED: Gershwen showing the bullet hole
“They told us the bullet went through his intestine and got stuck in his kidney,” he says.
“They repaired the intestine, but said they can’t take the bullet out of his kidney yet.
“He had an infection and they put a drain in, but on Wednesday they released him from ICU.
“I was so happy to see my laaitie sitting and talking and he told me he misses school.”
He says the family was questioned by police about the shooting which happened shortly after midnight.
“We were sleeping and didn’t see who was shooting,” says Gershwen.
“They told us there are no arrests, but we cannot just make statements when we know nothing about the gang fights.
“I work for my children and I’m not involved.”
While mom, Shafieka, 39, stays with Toufiek in hospital, Gershwin says he and his three other kids now sleep on the floor for fear of gunfire.
CONCERN: Musfieka and father Gershwen
“We feel very unsafe and we are living in fear because there is not even a vibracrete wall to protect us or to slow down the bullets,” the father says.
“After Toufiek was shot, I put the mattress on the cold floor and sleep here every night with my laaities.”
Gershwen, who works at the Epping Market, says his hours have been reduced during the lockdown and he cannot afford to put up a wall now.
“I am just looking for help to put up a wall around the Wendy house so the children can feel safer.
“I know it won’t stop the bullets, but I hope it will slow them down.”
monique.duval@inl.co.za