An off-duty fireman and a nurse who rushed to the aid of a well-known Strandfontein car guard has been credited with saving the young man’s life.

Sandy Schuter, Strandfontein Community Policing Forum chair, said the fireman, Garth Africa, and an off-duty nurse who happened to pass the scene, were instrumental in stabilising the man, identified only by his first name, Jason, after he was shot behind the Wavecrest Spar about 19:00 last night (Tuesday 2 June).

Chronology of events

Schuter said she received several calls about shots being fired in the Wavecrest area around that time. Fifteen minutes later Africa called her and told her someone had been shot. She said she hurried to the scene after notifying police and found Africa, an off-duty nurse and several good Samaritans assisting the person who had been shot, whom she recognised as Jason, a regular car guard in the area.

Trained in Emergency First Aid (EFA), Schuter had basic medical supplies on hand and, with the help of the crowd of bystanders, they were able to treat the wounded man until the ambulance arrived “very quickly” afterwards, she said.

“Really, had it not been for Mr Africa and that off duty nurse I don’t think Jason would have made it.”

She added that when she had spoken to his father earlier today he had said Jason was still in hospital and stable.

Community concern

Schuter said her phone has been ringing non-stop today with calls from people concerned about Jason’s welfare.

She commended the people on the scene for their prompt help, but unfortunately, due to everyone crowding the scene, possible evidence such as bullet casings were lost. But she said, “the investigation is still in its infancy.”

Bullet damage

Several pictures and reports have been circulating on social media, including those of an office in the Wavecrest complex with visible bullet holes. Most of the reports claimed Jason had died.

Schuter was not able to confirm which business had been damaged.

Mood at the scene

When TygerBurger visited the scene this morning it was uncharacteristically quiet. Absent were the usual car guards, beggars and street vendors.

Nearby business owners and trolley pushers said they were aware of the incident, but only Spar was still open at the time of the shooting.

Police response

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said Strandfontein police were investigating a case of attempted murder.

“Two suspects approached the victim and shot him in the back,” she said.

The motive for the attack remained under investigation and no arrests had been made.

Police asked anyone with information to contact Strandfontein police on 021 370 1500.

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