A young man from Nomzamo Park in Orlando East, Soweto, says there's nothing to celebrate this youth day because his life has been turned upside down. The 22-year-old is one of the 24 people who were shot randomly at Mdlalose tavern in July 2022. 

NOTHING TO CELEBRATE 

The young man who refused to be named ,fearing victimisation, after the accused in the matter were freed on Monday, told ZiMoja that he had plans to change the situation at home before he got shot. He explained that he was four months into a learnership programme and had been visiting his mother for the weekend when he got shot. "I used to rent in Roodepoort so that I could be closer to my workplace. That weekend I missed my mother so I went to visit. I wasn't even drinking but went to Mdlalose tavern to play pool not knowing my whole life would change because of that night," he said. He added that he couldn't go back for his learnership because he could barely take care of himself and had to focus on healing. "I can't even lift a 10-litre bucket of water because of all these pains. I have to wait for my mom to pour bathing water for me, I can't even stand for long. I was hit with two bullets on my right leg, three on my arm, and one near my kidney," he said. He said had hopes of succeeding in his life and it will only remain a wish for him. "Where is freedom in all this, as a youth, what should I celebrate when at 22 I can't walk like others my age, this is too much for me," he added.

LIVING IN FEAR 

He said he has been living in fear since that fateful night and that his fears have escalated since the accused in the matter were set free. The National Prosecuting Authority said there were no prospects of a successful prosecution and withdrew the cases against the six men who were arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. "I really don't have much to say but I am scared. I don't know if they'll come back to finish what they started or not. I don't wish to see them or bump into them, even if it was for an apology. I just don't want them near me. I don't even sleep properly at night because whenever I hear gunshots, I am taken back to that night and my ears just start ringing. It's a lot to process but I hope one day I'll be able to go back to school again, get a job and take my mother out of this place for good," he said. Gauteng Provincial Commissioner General Elias Mawela said he is confident that they arrested the right suspects in the Mdlalose tavern shooting and that the accused will be back in prison soon.