The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa in Philippi said it would not stop working in the community even though its vehicle was hijacked and its inspector, Angelique Stanbridge, shot in the area.
Stanbridge and her colleague were held at gunpoint on Monday and the society’s marked vehicle hijacked.
The vehicle was later recovered at Sweet Home Farms, not far from where the society operates.
The society said a sum of R48 000, which was taken from the vehicle and was meant to be deposited at the bank, has yet to be recovered.
Police have confirmed an attempted murder case was opened for investigation and no one has been arrested.
“Our hospital is still running. We have two inspectors and one is still going out to the community. We have to keep helping animals.
"We can never stop helping. Despite this, there has to be someone that goes out there to help. But it is a risk,” said the society’s spokesperson, Jaque Le Roux.
He said Stanbridge had gone to fetch animals for sterilisation from Manenberg on Monday.
“In mid-afternoon she arrived back to our society and then Angie and Carmen who heads our admin went to the bank just after 3pm. Just down the road from the society, they were hijacked.
“They shot Angie in the arm and took our vehicle with R48 000 that was going to be banked. The vehicle was recovered soon after in Sweet Home Farms, which is not too far from where we work.
"Our vehicle is branded and is very old. The money was not recovered,” said Le Roux.
He said Stanbridge would undergo surgery today to save her arm.
“The bullet went through her artery and she almost bled to death. It really shocked us all, but the two staff who are facing the most trauma are Angie and Carmen.
"Carmen is going through counselling. After Angie was shot, Carmen got out of the vehicle and ran to our society to get help.
“Thankfully a member of the public who was driving down after fetching their animal that was sterilised happened to see Angie, who had blood pouring out from her arm.
"We are hoping that companies including security companies will come on board to help us for the safety of our inspectors,” said Le Roux.
Anyone with any information about the shooting can contact Crime Stop on 086 001 0111 or SMS 32211.
The society can be contacted on 082 601 1761 or e-mail [email protected].