Family traumatised
A CHATSWORTH family was left traumatised after a group of protesters stoned their vehicle in which their 4-year-old son was also travelling.
Avinash Maraj, a driver for a logistics company from Unit 3 Chatsworth, said his vehicle was stoned on Sunday evening as he was returning home with his family.
“We were doing some grocery shopping at the Ridge Mall in Shallcross.
“We were only able to shop in the evening because we had attended a wedding during the day and so the only time we had to go to the mall was afterwards.
“We were leaving the mall around 7.15pm when the incident took place. We were exiting the mall through Link Road to join the Higginson Highway onramp, when we saw a line of protesters standing at the edge of the road with stones,” said Maraj.
He said there was a queue of cars waiting to join the highway so they could not move away from the protesters.
“The protesters were throwing stones at our car. We were not the only ones whose car was stoned. Everyone in the line was in the same position as us.
“They threw stones at the windscreen as well. The stones were bouncing off the glass and dented the bonnet of the car.
“My wife and son were huddled in the back seat terrified while the glass pieces flew everywhere.
“I was in utter shock at what was happening. I was not thinking about anything except getting my family to safety. The scene was volatile.”
He said that SAPS and Metro were on scene.
“When I was rushing to get out, I saw the police pull up. The crowd started dispersing out of fear.
“When I got out, I quickly went to the Chatsworth police station to open a case and when I got there I saw many other drivers who were in the same situation as me. Their cars were also stoned.”
Maraj said the windscreen, bonnet and various other parts of the car were damaged by the stone throwers.
“I was not worried about my car at that moment, I was more concerned about my family. My son is now traumatised. He is sick and finding it hard to sleep. It was absolutely traumatising what happened to us and I don’t think we’ll ever forget it,” said Maraj.
A case was opened at Chatsworth Police station.
Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala, KZN SAPS spokesperson, said: “Chatsworth police are investigating a case of malicious damage to property after a vehicle was allegedly pelted with stones on Shallcross Road last night. The matter is still under investigation.”