GEORGE NEWS - "My son does wrong things, but he is a good person. He is still my son, and he has a good heart."

These were the words of Protea Park mother Katrina Abdol, whose 32-year-old son, Griffith, was shot during a police operation in George last week.

Katrina does not deny that her son has made mistakes. 

What has left her heartbroken, she says, is the manner in which he was allegedly treated when the police pursued him on Thursday night, 17 September. "I feel they did not have to shoot him. Our sons may be doing wrong things, but that does not mean they have to be treated like animals. They are human. They come from people, and they have people who love them."

According to Katrina, Griffith suffered serious abdominal injuries and underwent a lengthy operation. "When I was with him, he said: 'Mommy, don't cry.' He is still thinking about me and not himself. My heart is in pieces. I just wish he could get a chance in life."

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness confirmed that Griffith had received treatment at George Hospital.

George Herald learnt that he was discharged on Tuesday morning and remains in police custody at Conville Police Station. He made his first court appearance on Wednesday 23 September.

Police respond to robbery report

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Chris Spies confirmed that Griffith is in custody and faces charges of robbery and the pointing of a firearm.

According to Spies, the police had responded to information about a robbery and went to a house in Levallia at about 23:20 on 17 September. "They cornered a man, and he sustained a gunshot wound," Spies said.

The police recovered two cellphones and confiscated an imitation firearm.

The police have also opened an attempted murder docket in connection with the shooting. The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) for further investigation.

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