SASOLBURG – In August this year, Hoerskool Technical Sasolburg principal narrowly escaped tragedy after being shot during a harrowing armed robbery in Colchester.
Dirk Coetsee, along with 10 other school principals, was attending a conference when the perpetrators struck their accommodation and robbed them of their belongings.
The incident unfolded in the dead of night when about four armed suspects silently gained access to the guest house where Coetsee and his colleagues were sleeping.
According to Coetsee, the armed intruders randomly shot inside the house when one principal woke up, saw the intruders and screamed for help.
It was at that point only Coetsee was hit by a bullet and woken up by a shuttering pain that left him numb.
Sedibeng Ster visited the dedicated principal at the school and had a tell it all interview about the fateful night.
As Coetsee is on a journey to recovery, he told the paper that he is settling in well.
“Annually we attend a principal’s conference and traditionally we travel and stay in one accommodation as Sasolburg principals. We arrived in Colchester two days before the conference and settled in well,” he said.
Telling the story of what transpired on the morning of the incident, Coetsee said “At around 3:30, intruders accessed our accommodation and robbed us cellphones, laptops and wallets. They entered all our rooms, except for one bedroom because it was rattling. When they were about to exit, one of the principals saw them and screamed for help. The intruders fired shots and that’s how I was shot.”
Coetsee said all he recalls after realising that he’s shot was waking to pain.
“I only recall waking up feeling paralysed because when the incident happen, I was deep in sleep. We used a bed sheet to stap my leg to stop the bleeding and drove to the nearest hospital,” he said.
Describing the damage caused by the bullet, the 56-year-old said “the bullet damaged the lower part of my knee. The doctor said it is more difficult operating it than replacing a knee.”
“My knee is shuttered. I got nine screws in it now, and three metal plates to support it. I can safely say my operation was a success and I’m recovery well and ahead of my estimated pace,” he said.
“I am feeling a whole lot better. I don’t have emotional scarce; I’ve been to counselling and I’m ok. My story encourages many people around me, including pupils. Sharing my story makes me feel stronger and seeing is encouraging it is to those going through a lot makes me happy,” said the bubbly teacher.
Coetsee said his ordeal has taught him to appreciate life.
“Life is really short and after my incident, I realised how good people are. I got an overwhelming support from everyone and that showed me that there is still good people around us. There is a lot of good in this world and that’s what we must focus on,” he said.
