A young neighbourhood watch volunteer escaped with his life after a suspected skelm opened fire on him during an early morning patrol. Uzair Dhansay, 19, was hit in the abdomen when the suspect fired about 10 shots at him early on Sunday morning. Yesterday, the teen was still being treated in hospital for his wound.
Uzair, a member of the Surrey Estate Neighbourhood watch, was patrolling along Jakes Gerwel Drive opposite Athlone Industria, when his team responded to a robbery nearby.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut says a woman and a friend were held at gunpoint and robbed of R500. “She reported it to the Surrey Estate NHW. The group responded and found the suspect within the immediate area,” Traut says.
“As they approached the suspect, he fired several shots at the 19-year-old male, hitting him in the back.
“The suspect fled the scene on foot. The victim was admitted to hospital for emergency medical treatment.”
Uzair’s mother Mumtaz Dhansay, 55, says they rushed to the scene moments after getting a call about the incident. “When we arrived he was conscious,” says Mumtaz. Right now he is in a stable condition and talking. “He’s been with the NHW for three years now and I never stopped him because it’s his passion. “He usually wears a bulletproof vest but this time he didn’t wear his vest.”
Police have not yet made an arrest.
Anyone with information may contact Manenberg SAPS 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop 08600 10111.
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