The family of a Tafelsig boy who was shot by a City Law Enforcement officer in Town Centre has slammed the officer for firing into a crowd.
Twelve-year-old Bernard Lewis was hit by a bullet which grazed his head as the officer was trying to catch a group of skelms near the fish market.
Law Enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, says the officer had called for back-up and approached the group who split up and ran.
“One suspect advanced on the officer with a knife in hand. The officer fired a warning shot and after a short scuffle, arrested and disarmed the suspect,” explained Dyason.
The Grade 5 learner from Yellowwood Primary School was hit by the bullet.
His traumatised mother, Ledovica Lewis-Solomon, 34, says the family went to check if their social grants had been paid at the time of the incident.
She says Bernard was with his granny and as she came out of the store, she saw the commotion and heard his younger sister crying that her boeta had been shot.
“Toe ek gaan kyk, het hulle ’* lappie oor sy gesig gesit. Ek het gedink hy is dood,” the distraught mom says.
She says she was hysterical and ran through Town Centre until she spotted a police officer and asked for help.
Ledovica bumped into Lieutenant-Colonel Dawood Laing of Philippi SAPS, who was driving to Mitchells Plain for a meeting at the time.
Bernard's parents
He took the mother home to fetch her husband Paul Solomon, 32.
When they returned to Town Centre, they were informed that Bernard was alive and Laing took the family to Mitchells Plain District Hospital.
Ledovica says Bernard was transported to Red Cross Hospital where he received more than 20 stitches across his head.
The boy is recovering well but doctors have informed Ledovica that he also had a small crack in his skull.
Dad Paul believes the officer acted carelessly by opening fire in the busy shopping centre.
“He called for back-up, so why didn’t he wait?” he asks.
He said Bernard is a star pupil who recently received an award for achieving the highest math mark in his grade.
Dyason said the matter is being probed by SAPS, while an internal inquiry will also be conducted.