Injured Comet boy wants to meet shooter
The Grade 12 student, Ntandazo Ngxingweni, who was shot and wounded during a protest in Comet, says he wants to meet the police officer who shot him.
Ntandazo had to undergo surgery after sustaining injuries to his forehead, when he was allegedly hit by a rubber bullet fired by the police, during the protest on February 24.
According to Ntandazo, he did not chose to be part of the protesters, but he was compelled by external circumstances and forced to join the protest.
He says community members were prevented from going to work while children were prevented from going to school on that day.
“I want to meet the police officer who shot me and get explanation as to why he or she injured me, because I don’t remember doing anything wrong.
“As far as I remember even the crowd was at that particular time doing nothing violent, but standing on the side of the road,” says Ntandazo.
“If the officer intentionally shot me, I want to know why. What have I done wrong?”
Ntandazo’s recollection of the event is that moments before the shooting happened he was filming the protest using his cellphone.
“I noticed police officers gathering on the east side of Rondebult Road, while the protesters were standing on the opposite side of the road.
“I was a bit tired so I joined the standing crowd by sitting on the ground. All of a sudden I heard a loud boom, which was followed by gunshot sounds.
“People started to run away, and I tried to run away; I immediately stood up but it was too late. I felt something hit my forehead and the next thing that I remember is waking up in a hospital bed, days later.
“It was only then that I realised that I was injured.”
Ntandazo left the hospital on Monday, March 3, and according to his mother, the doctor told them that although his recovery has been good, Ntandazo is not yet back to his normal health.
“I constantly suffer from headache and pains, especially after I have spent a long period of time doing my school work,” says Ntandazo.
The doctor also instructed Ntandazo’s mother that she must not allow her son to go to school until further notice.
Ntandazo, however, says he decided to go to school because he feels that he is falling behind with his school work.
Ntandazo periodically visits hospital for brain scans.
Xoliswa says that doctors revealed to her that Ntandazo was hit by a rubber bullet, and adds that she is considering taking legal actions against the police officers responsible.
