Boy, 6, fights for life after bullet to brain

SIX-YEAR-OLD Nathan Martin, who was shot in the head, allegedly by the bodyguard of Mnquma mayor Thobeka Bikitsha, took a turn for the worse in Frere Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) yesterday.

The child, who has already survived heart surgery a while ago, was admitted on Sunday.

Although the family had reported that he was responding well to treatment, the child was reportedly not doing well yesterday.

His father Lesley, who was meant to return to Butterworth to meet Bikitsha, could not leave Nathan’s side yesterday as his condition had worsened.

Family spokesperson Kuvendrin Martin said the family was called in by the hospital yesterday to get an update.

“Nathan is a strong boy but we feel this battle is a bit too much for a sixyear-old but we remain hopeful and optimistic,” said Martin.

The bullet slammed through an adjoining prefabricated wall, and lodged in the child’s brain.

According to the police, a man handed himself in on Sunday morning and was charged with attempted murder. The suspect appeared at the Butterworth Magistrate’s Court is now out on bail.

Mnquma municipal spokesman Loyiso Mpalantshane could not confirm if the municipality had suspended the bodyguard. Earlier this week Mnquma announced that he would be put through a disciplinary process.

“The meeting with the family that was scheduled for today could not happen,” said Mpalantshane. —