Sibonelo Zwane
A survivor of the Soweto tavern shooting says it took him 30 minutes to realise that he was still alive after the attack.
The survivor, a 27-year-old man who asked for his identity to be hidden for fear of his life, believes it was a miracle that he escaped the horrific shooting that took at least 15 lives.
“My mind was off for a while after the shooting and I thought I was dead. I only realised 30 minutes after the gunmen left the tavern that I was still alive,” the survivor said.
The massacre took place in a settlement called Nomzamo in Orlando East, Soweto, early on Sunday morning.
He said he has never witnessed such cruelty and brutality.
“I was with a friend from work when we decided to go past the tavern for a few beers,” he said.
His friend loved playing pool and that’s where he headed when he got to the tavern.
“We had been drinking and everyone was having a good time until 10pm when I had to witness a scene from what seemed like a horror movie.”
He said he was sitting at a corner table when he saw a man carrying an AK-47 opening the glass sliding door.
“That man walked in and said nothing, his bullets spoke for him. All the guys that were playing pool scattered and ran for cover, my friend included. Unfortunately the perpetrator was onto them and opened fire, shooting at everyone.”
The survivor said he hid under a table next to four dead men.
“Their blood spilled on me and I had to hold my tears. After the guy carrying the AK-47 was done, two men carrying 9mm pistols walked in targeting everyone that was on the floor, finishing them off one by one execution-style.”
The shooting lasted for about 10 minutes and after that he heard screams from other survivors.
“People were crying in pain, alcohol was spilled all over the floor and the gunmen slowly walked out scanning through the entire room.”
He said he doesn’t know how he survived because one of the guys carrying a pistol looked him straight in the eyes and then walked away.
“I still can’t believe I’m alive. God spared my life. I’m grateful that I walked [away] without a single injury.”
As soon as he woke up from the nightmare he called an ambulance. But the paramedics said they were afraid to come to the area and were waiting for the police to escort them.
He said he needs protection because he was identified by one of the gunmen and fears for his life.
