Teen shot in Wedela mass shooting told to pay R28,000 before surgery

Summary: According to The Citizen, an 18-year-old Grade 10 pupil wounded in the Wedela mass shooting on 26 September is reportedly waiting for surgery after a Gauteng hospital demanded R28 000 before proceeding with treatment.

Patient told to pay before surgery

According to The Citizen, an 18-year-old Grade 10 pupil who was wounded in the Wedela mass shooting is awaiting surgery after hospital staff allegedly presented an account requiring payment of about R28 000. The Citizen has seen the account detailing the alleged costs, which states the family has 30 days to pay.

Family told to pay half up front

According to The Citizen, the family was told they would have to pay half the amount before the hospital could proceed with the operation. The pupil’s aunt, Ntebatseng Makamule, said the family had managed to raise R1 000 but still needed another R14 000 for the surgery.

Injuries and hospital transfers

According to The Citizen, Katleho Malefane was shot in his thigh after the bullet passed through his buttocks and suffered a serious knee injury which doctors said requires surgery. He was admitted to Leratong Hospital on the West Rand but, according to The Citizen, was sent back to Carletonville Hospital after the family was told there was no space at Leratong for him to wait for surgery.

Voices calling for assistance and clarity

According to The Citizen, Bongani Mkwananzi, spokesperson for ZimCommunitySA, appealed to well-wishers, organisations and humanitarian groups to assist the teenager. He said the organisation was concerned about reports the pupil faced a hospital bill of about R28 000 while his family struggled to secure the money needed for his treatment.

Health expert Lindiwe Mahlangu of Positive Women’s Network called for an urgent investigation into the reported incident. She said if confirmed, the case would require immediate attention from health authorities and that a patient’s nationality or status should not prevent them from receiving emergency medical treatment.

Family account of the shooting

Katleho’s mother, Molebogeng Malefane, described her son’s injury and the moments after the shooting. She said:

“I dragged them inside the house after realising they had been shot. The men proceeded to the nearby tavern, about two metres from my house, and started shooting there as well,”

According to The Citizen, the mother said the bullet entered her son’s thigh and exited through his buttocks and that his knee injury was the most serious and required the surgery.

Official response

According to The Citizen, the Gauteng health department had not responded to a request for comment by the time of print.