Shot cyclist tells of ordeal

Johannesburg - Speaking in a hoarse voice and bearing a large operation scar on his chest and bullet scars on his left side, Johan Jacobs (17) tells how pleaded with his attackers not to shoot him again. The matric pupil was shot for his racing bicycle and clothes and left to die on the side of a road in Brakpan two weeks ago on his way to a practice ride. "While one attacker was shoving a firearm in my face, I said they could take anything they wanted to, as long as they did not shoot me again. "They grabbed me by the arms and dragged me into the veld, where I lost consciousness. When I came to, my bicycle was gone and I was almost naked." Johan was shot from behind at about 04:30, just after he had turned into Lower Road, Minnebron, Brakpan, about 10 minutes after leaving his parents' home. When he regained consciousness, he saw vehicles driving past on the tarred road. "I wanted to get up and walk to the road for help, but collapsed and realised I couldn't walk. "It was freezing, pitch dark and I was alone. I decided to crawl to the road so that someone could see me and help me." He couldn't remember throwing a can at an oncoming car to attract attention. "When the car stopped beside me, I pleaded with them to help me. "I told them I had been shot and then collapsed again. When I woke up, paramedics were treating me, then I was taken to hospital." While he points to the large operation scar on his chest, he also tells about a huge wound on his lower back, where he was hit by a bullet. He also says his foot is weak after nerves were severed by a bullet, he has a blood clot in his left leg and there is a hole for the tube draining fluid from his lungs. "The Lord intentionally put this on my path, but He now wants me to get on with my life. He will make sure that those two men are punished, even if the police never catch them."