British surgeon killed in violent protest in South Africa, family claims
The family of 40-year-old Kar Hao Teoh, a prominent British surgeon who worked at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, has come forward, claiming that police directed them to a violent protest that led to his death. The family also alleged that the police refused to call an ambulance, leaving Mr. Teoh fatally injured.
Mr. Teoh, who was an orthopaedic surgeon residing in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, was with his family on a vacation trip to South Africa. The family spoke out for the first time, recounting the horrific events that resulted in this tragic loss.
Amid a rare two-week vacation, spent predominantly enjoying the local attractions including whale watching at Hermanus and a visit to see penguins at Betty’s Bay, the family found themselves caught up in a violent taxi minibus strike that they had not anticipated.
The family was following the directions of a police officer, who was directing vehicles into the township of Nyanga, near Cape Town International Airport, to avoid closures caused by the strike. Unfortunately, their decision to follow the police’s instructions put them on a collision course with the ongoing strike.
Mrs. Teoh mentioned that the road was littered with abandoned car wheels and an influx of pedestrians, indicating that something was seriously amiss. Tragically, as they neared Ntlangano Crescent, an attacker fired at Mr. Teoh, causing the fatal injury. Despite extensive pleas for help, police officers were unresponsive and refused to call for an ambulance, leaving the family on their own to seek help for Mr. Teoh, who tragically did not survive.
Given the grave nature of Mr. Teoh’s passing, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has spoken out, urging the family to address any concerns or complaints directly to the authorities. It is unclear whether any arrests have been made, but the family has made a public appeal to witnesses and the community to provide information on the incident.
With the tragedy still weighing heavily on their hearts, the Teoh family remains hopeful that the witnesses will come forward and help provide the much-needed closure in this heart-wrenching situation. Their appeal is for anyone who was in the area at the time of the killing to step forward and assist in bringing justice and peace to Mr. Teoh’s soul.
