Successful surgery for shot teenager

The teenager who was shot in the head during unrest at his school had successful surgery at Nelson Mandela Central Hospital in Mthatha. 

An Eastern Cape police officer is being investigated for allegedly shooting Mawande Ngoyo, 18, last Tuesday at Lindelani Senior Secondary School at Kutela village near Mount Ayliff.

Police were called when pupils on a rampage damaged school property in protest at rumours that a popular maths teacher was being moved. It was later denied that the teacher was leaving.

The bullet hit the Grade 11 pupil in the forehead and exited at the top his head, missing his brain.

Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said Ngoyo underwent a two-hour operation on Monday afternoon in which the surgeon removed a blood clot and bone fragments.

“They cleaned and drained the area during the procedure, known as a craniotomy,” he said.

Mawande is under post-operative observation in the high care ward. He was not fully conscious or able to speak, according to his aunt, Zine Ngoyo.

“We hope the doctors will do their best to ensure that he becomes the normal boy we know.”

Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Khaya Tonjeni said a case of attempted murder had been opened.

It is alleged that one of the officers used live ammunition when police fired warning shots and Mawande was in the firing line.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesman Moses Dlamini confirmed that an investigation was under way. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za