Siyavuya Mzantsi
AN ELDERLY man had a narrow escape when hijackers opened fire and wounded him before they got away with his car and dog in Windermere, Marine Estate, in Muizenberg.
The 61-year-old man is recovering in hospital and his dog, which was in the vehicle at the time, has been found.
Police say the incident occurred at 2.05pm, when the man was shot in the leg and robbed of his vehicle. Spokesman André Traut said no one had been arrested.
Marine Estate Neighbourhood Watch chairwoman Liz Meyer, who was called to the scene, said she arrived after the man had been rushed to hospital.
She said the Marina da Gama resident was transferred from Constantiaberg MediClinic to Vincent Pallotti Hospital and spent the night in ICU.
“He is doing fine and just grateful that the bullet did not damage things like bone or arteries. He lost a lot of blood, but has received excellent treatment and is recovering well. The dog was found on Sunday afternoon on PG Drive and is now safe at home,” Meyer said yesterday.
She said it seemed that the man was not the target as the duo attempted to attack a woman who was moving into the area.
“A lady who was busy moving into a house near the end of Windermere Road was travelling in the area in her car when these two approached her and pointed a firearm at her,” Meyer said.
“Because she was severely traumatised, it is not clear why they did not hijack her vehicle, but instead turned their attention to this gentleman who had just parked his car next to the school fence.”
The woman received trauma counselling.
Meanwhile, police were investigating murder and attempted murder after a 25-year-old man was shot dead and a 32-year-old man injured on the corner of De Wet and Carrol roads in Grassy Park on Sunday.
Contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send an SMS to Crime Stop at 32211 with any information.