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Man’s leg ripped open by broken barrier

Pietermaritzburg - A man's leg was ripped open by a broken metal barrier while he was walking in Raisethorpe on Saturday morning.

Manager of the Sassa offices in Northdale, Clive Govindsamy said he was checking on his employees during a Sassa campaign in Raisethorpe when he crossed the road to go to Save You Supermarket.

“I honestly didn’t see it because I was not looking down. The barrier was not in my direct view as I was looking straight ahead,” said Govindsamy.

He said as he crossed the busy road, he felt the piece of metal stab him in his left leg.

“I looked down and could see my bone. My flesh was completely ripped and there was blood everywhere,” said Govindsamy.

He said he fell to the ground screaming for help.

Govindsamy was rushed to Daymed Private Hospital for urgent care and received more than 20 stitches.

“Because the stab wound was so deep and it ripped my flesh from the inside, I had to receive stitches inside my leg and on top,” he said.

Govindsamy said he now has to visit the hospital daily to receive antibiotics via a drip and change the dressing on his wound.

“This accident could have been avoided if the municipality just sorted out the barrier when it first broke. Now the barriers lay broken at almost every part of Raisethorpe and it is just a danger zone. Anyone can get hurt there and it is such a busy area,” he said.

Govindsamy said his doctors have ordered him to stay at home for the next two weeks to rest and avoid infection since the wound is deep.

“This is highly inconvenient. Accidents can be avoided if everyone just does their jobs correctly. I will be pursuing a claim from the municipality for the damage and inconvenience caused,” he added.

Msunduzi Municipality did not comment by the time of going to print.

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