Johannesburg -
Police are facing a claim of R16 million in damages from a former personal assistant at the National Treasury shot in the stomach by the officers who suspected her of “being a passenger in a stolen car”.
Lebo Chuene Matshira’s nightmare ordeal unfolded in papers before the high court sitting in Pretoria. Not only was she shot, but when she regained consciousness in hospital, she found her leg was cuffed to the hospital bed.
Nothing came of the charges against her, as the case docket ”disappeared.”
On September 8 in 2008 Matshira, who lives with her mother in Sunnyside, was a passenger in a car with a friend. They were travelling along the Mabopane Highway in the early hours of the morning, on their way to drop off other friends.
Matshira said as they were travelling they suddenly saw the flashing blue lights of a police vehicle behind them.
“Thinking this meant they wanted us to stop, we pulled over. The vehicle pulled in next to us and an officer (later identified as Captain Ngoako Ledwaba) opened fire with an R5 rifle. I was shot in the abdomen.
“Despite the gunshot, I was dragged from the vehicle and handcuffed. I was in extreme pain and bled profously.”
Matshira was admitted to the ICU of the Kalafong Hospital and underwent emergency surgery.
She remained in hospital for more than a week and remained cuffed during this time to her hospital bed, while under police guard.
“After my discharge I was still in pain and suffered from post-operative symptoms, when I was taken to the Soshanguve police station, where I was detained overnight.”
She said she was taken to the court the next day, while still cuffed.
She was given bail and the case against her – that she was “a passenger in a suspected stolen car” – was dropped because the docket went missing.
Matshira said nothing more was said about the fact that the police had shot her for no reason.
Although she went back to work, she had to resign a week later as she was unable to perform her duties.
Expert reports said she suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, had difficulty walking and that her kidneys were damaged.
“I still suffer trauma-related fear and trauma reactions when I see a policeman in uniform… I am unable to secure employment and I am totally dependent on my mother
.”
Judge George Webster earlier ruled that the police were liable for her damages.
Judge Jody Kollapen yesterday ruled that the minister of police had to make an interim payment of R500 000 to Matshira.
- Pretoria News Weekend