Three Elsies River teenagers were hospitalised after skollies opened fire on them while they walked to school.
Angry Avonwood residents say they watched in horror as the youngsters ran for their lives on Friday as three gunmen shot wildly in Blydoorn Court shortly before 8am.
Herschelle Saayman and Ryan Kock, both aged 17, were shot while walking to Elswood High School.
Herschelle’s sister Zeldene, 21, says: “There was a girl and another boy with them and they were all wearing their school uniform. Herschelle and Ryan are both in Grade 10 and had to write their last exams on Friday.
“My brother was shot in the pelvis and was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital.
“He was in so much pain and the doctors struggled to control the bleeding. We don’t know what the damage will be as a result of the shooting but we are very kwaad.”
Ryan’s father Shane,50, says a bullet ripped through his son’s chest.
“The doctor said he was very lucky it went straight through him and didn’t damage any of his organs and his lungs are fine. I was at work when they called me and I couldn’t believe it.”
The angry father says he confronted the skollies after his son was discharged.
“I took him right to them to show them what they caused. I wanted to know why they shoot on children,” he says.
“The person who they wanted to shoot was so far away but they mos want to kill each other so they can go up to that person and shoot them. I’m very upset, it could have been worse.”
Andre Botha, 15, who attends the same school, says he was standing in the court to access the free WiFi when he was also struck in the back.
“I didn’t even know I was shot. I heard the skote and just ran and afterwards I felt it was burning and I fell. They said it was a flesh wound.”
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, says Elsies River Police instituted a 72-hour activation plan and within hours cops arrested a 28-year-old skollie who will appear in court today on attempted murder charges.
Community Police Forum chairperson, Imraahn Mukaddam, adds: “The Elsies River Community Police Forum is appealing to the warring parties to declare a ceasefire for the coming holidays.
“Various leaders in Elsies River are prepared to facilitate talks between the leaders of the various groups to ensure peace.”