Gran sues Lekota for R250 000

2003-05-19 11:11

Sizwe samaYende

Nelspruit - An 86-year-old woman who has a slug from an R-4 rifle lodged in her shoulder blade is suing Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota for R250 000 in damages.

The Legal Aid Board here confirmed it had served a notice on the defence force (SANDF) about Anna Nkambule's claim that she was hit by a bullet fired by a rogue commando member at a taxi.

Nkambule was lucky to survive the unprovoked shooting at Leeuwfontein farm on April 11 last year.

Another pensioner, Manzima Dina Mahlangu, 80, who was in the same taxi en route to a pension payout point in Wonderfontein was shot dead.

The bullet from the army-issue R-4 rifle hit Mahlangu in the back, passed through her chest and hit Nkambule in front of her.

The Middelburg commando member, 30-year-old Bafana Sydney Mahlangu [no relation] is still facing criminal charges in Belfast regional court.

Mahlangu and his colleague were allegedly patrolling dirt roads in the area on bicycles when the shooting took place.

Couldn't remove the bullet

"[The SANDF] has acknowledged receiving our notice," said attorney Elvis Magagula.

"We're suing for pain, suffering, injury and costs for future treatment. Doctors couldn't remove the bullet because they feared they might cause further damage."

He said the board was investigating suing on behalf of the late Mahlangu's relatives.

This is not the only law suit against commando members in Mpumalanga.

Lekota is also being sued by two Wakkerstroom farm labourers for R1.9m collectively, after they allegedly were tortured at the hands of Wakkerstroom Commando members in 1996.

Moses Mayisela and Mgezeni Hlatshwayo claim that 10 commando members punched, kicked and sprayed them with teargas.

Their case is set to start later this year in Pretoria High Court.

- African Eye