Man survived two gunshots to head, court told

DRAMATIC details of how a Port Elizabeth man miraculously survived two gunshots to the head and one to the spine were revealed in court yesterday, as the state opposed the bail application of his alleged shooter.

Investigating officer Constable Sibulelo Yali said the victim, Raven Lucas, slumped to the ground – just metres from his home – as he became paralysed from the waist down, before ultimately losing consciousness.

Cortney Matroos and Aldine Jacobs, both in their 20s, are charged with the shooting in November.

Only Jacobs applied for bail in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court yesterday. He was nabbed after being on the run for more than a month.

Matroos abandoned his bid for bail previously.

In an affidavit read out by prosecutor Rafik Ahmed yesterday, Yali, of the provincial gang investigating team, said Jacobs, 22, was believed to be part of the PSB gang operating in the Schauderville area.

He said at about 9.30pm on November 19, Matroos and Jacobs followed Lucas to his home in Glendenning Street, Schauderville, after buying drugs.

“The victim noticed that [Matroos and Jacobs] were slowing down and they eventually started walking behind him. He then heard a gunshot and felt some heat behind his head.”

After falling to the ground, he heard his alleged shooters arguing, and then turned to see the firearm being pointed in his direction once more.

Lucas was shot twice more – in the head and spine. He then lost consciousness.

He was rushed to hospital where he was found to be paralysed from the waist down.

Police believe the shooting was in revenge for Lucas’s younger brother reporting a case of robbery with aggravating circumstances against Matroos the day before.

Yali said because of the extent of Lucas’s injuries, the northern areas community had been under the impression that he had died. Newspapers had even reported that he died on the scene.

“Upon arrest the accused asked me if he could still talk,” Yali said.

Ahmed told the court that while Lucas’s speech was now slurred, he was able to speak slowly and get his version of events across.

Jacobs, meanwhile, said he would plead not guilty to the charges – including attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition – and denied being affiliated to any gang activity.

He said he was employed as a tiler and needed to work to support his four-year-old son.

The matter was postponed to Friday for closing arguments.