Strike victim's last gift to SA
Image by: THAPELO MOTSUMI
As you read this, someone might just have received a new lease on life because a selfless man died at the hands of striking transport workers.
Yesterday morning, Gary Stewart - who died at 3.20pm on Monday - was wheeled into theatre at Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town where doctors harvested his organs to save the lives of others.
Last week, Stewart was travelling in a truck close to the Cape Town International Airport when the vehicle was stoned by strikers. He was hit on the head with a brick.
Henry Fisher - Stewart's brother-in-law and owner of the transport company he worked for - said the 41-year-old cared for his fellow man deeply and had mentioned organ donation in the past.
"When I proposed to his mother on Sunday that we donate his organs, she had no hesitation. He would have wanted it," said Fisher.
Joy Herman, spokesman for the hospital's intensive care unit, said that, despite being confirmed dead, Steward had remained on life support to preserve his organs. She said his organs were harvested just after 7am yesterday.
The family is taking strain. They are enraged at the South African Transport & Allied Workers' Union strike that led to Stewart's death, and at the inaction of the police.
"Police and the government had an obligation to protect us and preserve life. Once again they let us down. This is a crime that will go unpunished. Is it fair for a handful of people to hold the country hostage? Our government has murdered my brother-in-law, my friend," said Fisher, choking up.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut said Stewart's death is being investigated, and the case docket has been changed from attempted murder to murder.
Yesterday, Satawu spokesman Vincent Masoga said they were "saddened" by Stewart's death.
"We hope the criminals feel the wrath of the law," said Masoga.
COPE's Youth Movement lauded Stewart's family for their decision, but said it was "a noble gesture on an undeserving nation".
"It is sad that the transport union, Cosatu and its affiliated unions and the ANC have embarked on a campaign to destroy this beautiful country through hooliganism, barbaric murders and any possible manner they could find," the youth movement said.
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Posted 226 days agoAWA
Posted 226 days agoNo not so ..... we are let down, yes, but every criminal will be punished, if not in this life then in the one to come. It would be far better to pay the price here than to be punished in the next life where we will answer for everything, even every word spoken.
Seems the prophecies of Sienner van Rensburg 110 years ago are once again proven true. Most will laugh at this but they only fulfill what is written about our time. It is all happening and far worse is still to come. So be not amazed. I discovered this 23 years ago when my son was killed.
l984
Amen. It's either humankind (or SA in particular) will learn the lesson - or it will eventually self-destruct.
Let's hope such precious gift is not lost and wasted on a sick society plagued by such barbaric violence and destruction on all levels.
Karma = The energy we create by our thoughts, feelings, words and actions (or lack thereof).
RSA.MommaCyndi
RSA.MommaCyndi
Posted 226 days agoMy heart goes out to Gary's family. The picture of them saying goodbye to him will remain a sore spot in my heart for a long time
Remote
Posted 226 days ago"We hope the criminals feel the wrath of the law," said Masoga."
Instead of serving us with your platitudes , why not use the organs of your parasitic organisation and help bring this murderous member of your organisation to book.
The Union should be held accountable.
And by the way , this is where my support of the death penalty is emboldened.
SuiGeneris
Posted 226 days agoWith these barbaric creatures who would not wink an eye to stone innocent people to death or to set them alight ?!?!?!
Face the reality and come to terms with the fact that these are only meaningless words on paper !
It is simply impossible with these barbaric actions
buddi
Posted 226 days agoNeilBaines
Posted 226 days ago