A young man from Maboloka in the North West has been left permanently disabled after being shot in a tavern, and he is now fighting for justice from a wheelchair. Twenty-one-year-old Koketso Platjie says his life changed forever after he was caught in a violent shooting that was not meant for him.
The incident happened in the early hours of 27 September 2025 when Koketso and a friend went out to a local tavern. According to Koketso, an armed man arrived and attempted to shoot someone inside the venue. The bullets missed the intended target and struck Koketso instead, hitting him in the leg. He collapsed outside the tavern and was rushed to hospital, where doctors fought to save his life.
Despite weeks of treatment, the damage to his leg was too severe. Doctors were eventually forced to amputate his left leg, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. Koketso says he is still trying to come to terms with the physical pain and emotional trauma of the shooting, as well as the reality that his life will never be the same again.
Now back home, Koketso says his biggest struggle is not only learning to live with his disability, but also watching the man he claims shot him continue to move freely in the community. He believes the suspect should be behind bars and fears that justice is being delayed or ignored.
Koketso alleges that after the shooting, the suspect or people linked to him tried to intimidate his family. He claims that he was offered R10 000 to drop the case and was told that the man responsible would never be arrested because of alleged connections with the police. His mother, Xolile Platjie, says the family has been living in fear, adding that people have come to their home trying to convince them to stop pursuing the case.
“I don’t want his money,” Koketso said. “I want justice. I want him in jail for what he did to me.”
Before the shooting, Koketso was a Grade 11 learner at Lot Mashiane Secondary School and had dreams of becoming a lawyer. He says his injury has made continuing with school extremely difficult, but he has not given up on his future. He hopes that one day he will still be able to return to his studies and build a life despite his disability.
Koketso has also called for stronger action from the police. He says he is frustrated by the lack of feedback about his case and has even asked for it to be transferred to a bigger police station where he believes it might receive more attention. “I feel like I’ve been forgotten,” he said. “But I’m the one who has to live like this for the rest of my life.”
Community members in Maboloka have expressed anger over the shooting and have voiced their support for Koketso and his family. Some residents say the incident highlights the growing problem of violent crime in the area and the fear many people live with every day.
Police have confirmed that a case of attempted murder has been opened and that the matter is before the courts. Investigations are continuing as Koketso and his family wait for what they hope will finally be justice.