Alleged shooting victim of Limpopo lawyer will have to wait to undergo surgery

One of the alleged victims of Julius Malema’s lawyer‚ Tumi Mokwena‚ will have to wait a little longer before he can undergo operation on his injured finger.

Klaas Mboweni‚ 50‚ who was among four employees of the Zebediela Citrus Estate farm allegedly shot by Mokwena last week‚ was scheduled to have undergone surgery on Wednesday. Mboweni was told by doctors on Tuesday that he could lose his finger due to the nature of his injury.

 But Mboweni could not be operated on on Wednesday as doctors at the Magatle Hospital had to prioritise emergency operations only. Mboweni is head of security at the farm where Mokwena‚ who is currently out on R10‚000 bail‚ allegedly pulled out a gun and shot several workers over a dispute over salary deductions.

 Mokwena is scheduled to return to the Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court on August 25 to face the four attempted murder charges against him.

He had visited the farm he used to manage when a scuffle broke out with the workers who accused him of mismanaging funds.

Speaking to Sowetan from the Magatle Hospital where was still being admitted on Wednesday‚ Mboweni said the scheduled operation had been postponed to next Wednesday.

He said he was still suffering from excruciating pain and his finger was bandaged.

 “Doctors had told me they would have to cut off my finger because of the nature of the injury. But I’m crossing my fingers that it gets better‚” said Mboweni.

Mboweni and fellow farm worker‚ Dencen Mamokhere‚ are both still in hospital. Mamokhere‚ 38‚ was shot on the right arm. The other two victims‚ Gilbert Kekana and Michael Nyathi‚ were treated and discharged from the hospital.