{
  "id": 13038608,
  "title": "Pupil hurt in Wedela shooting to get surgery after deposit paid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/pupil-hurt-in-wedela-shooting-to-get-surgery-after-deposit-paid",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T05:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/pupil-hurt-in-wedela-shooting-to-get-surgery-after-deposit-paid/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An 18-year-old student, Katleho Malefane, who was shot during a mass shooting in Wedela on September 26, is receiving surgery after his family paid a deposit of R16,000 towards his R28,000 hospital bill. The shooting, which left 18 people dead and 15 injured, occurred at a tavern in Wedela, with Malefane being shot in the thigh and suffering a serious knee injury. He was admitted to Leratong Regional Hospital and later referred to Carletonville District Hospital for further treatment. Malefane's mother, Molebogeng Malefane, borrowed R16,000 to secure the surgery, expressing relief that her son would receive assistance next Tuesday. Bongani Mkwananzi, a spokesperson for ZimCommunitySA, appealed to the public and humanitarian groups for assistance, emphasizing that Malefane's hospital bill posed a significant financial burden for his family. The Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson, Steve Mabona, affirmed that no individual should be denied emergency medical treatment based on their nationality, immigration status, race, gender, or ability to pay. He highlighted that Malefane received clinical treatment at Leratong Regional Hospital before being referred to Carletonville District Hospital, and his immigration status did not impact the quality of care provided. The department's decision to refer Malefane for further treatment was based on the level of care required, according to Mabona.",
  "summary": "Family of Grade 10 pupil wounded in Wedela mass shooting has paid R16 000 deposit towards R28 000 hospital bill for surgery.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}