Lucky is alive
Baseless rumours that a popular beggar-turned-traffic controller, Lucky Mahlalela, has died proved to be incorrect after Mahlalela came back following his four months disappearance after being brutally attacked by criminals.
The beggar-turned-traffic controller in the city centre Lucky Mahlela received a warm reception from most motorists driving through Nelson Mandela Drive to their destinations and friends last week.
Lucky has disappeared for four months after he was attacked by robbers on the corner of Willow Street and Nelson Mandela Drive, the spot where he aids the flow of traffic on a daily basis.
His return brought a smile to the face of many a motorist who have been frustrated by traffic in Lucky’s absence.
Lucky, who has become a permanent feature on the spot, was stabbed by criminals with a bottle in the head during the attack. He bled severely and fainted. The attackers took his wallet before throwing him into the Apies river over a bridge more than 5m high.
Lucky told Rekord: “Upon realising that the wallet had no money, they became angry and started to attack me. The bone of my left leg was fractured when they threw me over the bridge.”
He said paramedics took him to Tshwane District Hospital and he moved to his home in Nelspruit after he was discharged from the local hospital.
“I was waiting for the removal of the concrete on my leg as I knew I couldn’t work with it. Now I am healed, fit and strong.”
Motorists hooted and some women shouted in excitement to see Lucky again.
Asked by passers-by where he had been, Lucky said: “I was at home to visit my wife and children.”
One motorist said: “Lucky is my son.”
A woman who works at a nearby laundry, Lotus Nxumalo, thanked God that Lucky was alive.
“There were lots of stories about him. We didn’t know what to believe and not. However, we were hoping that he was alive.”
Street vendor Godfrey Matlou, who is also Mahlalela’s friend, said he was also confused about Lucky’s whereabouts. “I was excited to see him coming back alive.”
Emmanuel Mukenye, a pamphlet distributor, earlier said he had been inundated by questions from motorists asking about Lucky.
Nelson Mandela Drive is notorious for criminal attacks that have claimed more than one life, and his friends agree that Lucky has been indeed lucky to survive.
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Also read: Popular traffic controller beggar attacked
Where are you Lucky? Pretoria needs you!
