Eliot Nkadimeng was seriously injured when he was shot after a taxi dropped him off near his home in Nellmapius on Monday. Members of Tshwane Barekisi Forum are in a state of shock after Nkadiment, who is the secretary of the forum, was shot three times on his way home, according to a member of the forum.
Together with other members of the forum, they were expected to attend a media briefing the following day (Tuesday) to address the media about a massive protest scheduled for Friday, against alleged corruption within Tshwane metro, but little did he know that on that day he would be fighting for his life in a hospital bed.
Tshwane Barekisi Forum deputy secretary Marry Ngema, said from the way their secretary was shot it is clear that the people behind the shooting incident had a clear intention of killing him.
“A shooter opened fire on Nkadimeng, aiming for the front of the body, back and neck. This suggested that they wanted him dead,” she said.
While Nkadimeng is fighting for his life in hospital, the reason for this attack is unknown.
Ngema said they take the matter very seriously, although they do not want to speculate as to who is behind the attack.
It is up to the police to investigate and bring the criminals to justice.
Barekisi Forum said it was a pity that Nkadimeng had to experience such brutality and injustice for no reason.
Police had previously arrested and kept Nkadimeng in custody on several occasions without any case being opened against him.
They believe the police behaviour was a political plot to silence informal traders from protesting around the city and demanding for social justice, and Nkadimeng is instrumental in the fight against abuse and brutality on a daily basis towards informal traders by allegedly metro police.
Various local organisations, including South African Communist Party, Congress of South African Trade Union, ANC Youth League, Greater Tshwane Business Forum, South African Students Congress, Tshwane Train sector and Phaphama Development Forum have joined hands with Tshwane Barekisi Forum to call on the Minister of Police to institute an investigation on the shooting of Nkadimeng.
Nkadimeng has been described as a person who has no enemies.
“He is a lovely guy who always smiles. He smiles every time before he talks,” Ngema said.
She described his condition as critical but stable.
His family is still struggling to cope with the incident and unable to express their views at this stage.
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