CANDICE BAILEY
A 43-year-old woman, who was left paralysed from the chest down after being shot by a Joburg metro police officer at a roadblock in Midrand, has spoken out for the first time – exactly eight months after the event.
In March, the biggest concern for Debbie (not her real name) was finding a perfect wedding venue. But now her worries are how to get around without asking for help, how to get out of bed without falling and how to make a cup of tea.
The 43-year-old didn’t marry, and lost her independence. The bullet that caused the damage remains lodged in her head, resting close to her right temple. It hit her after passing through her car’s boot, entering her body through her spine and travelling to her head.
Yesterday marked the eight-month anniversary of the shooting. The officer who fired the bullet has still not been arrested, nor has he been suspended from duty.
Midrand police say they are still awaiting ballistics results for the firearms used that day.
Joburg metro police spokesman Wayne Minnaar said the officers were shooting at another car that had failed to stop at the roadblock. One of their bullets hit Debbie’s car in an “unfortunate incident”.
But the shooting has had huge consequences.
“Everything has changed. I can’t cook. I can’t tidy up the house. I’m totally dependent on my fiancé Bruce,” said Debbie, speaking at the offices of attorney Delia de Vries, who is representing her and her fiancé.
Minnaar said the case could be completed only after the bullet lodged in Debbie’s head was matched with a firearm. But removing it is at the risk of causing speech problems, bleeding to death or having a heart attack.