Police and emergency services arrive at the home of the Khan family on the Berea, where two bombs were delivered hidden in a ‘Get Well’ gift. Picture: Leon Lestrade Police and emergency services arrive at the home of the Khan family on the Berea, where two bombs were delivered hidden in a ‘Get Well’ gift. Picture: Leon Lestrade
Durban - Police are swooping in on the person behind Friday’s bomb attack on a Durban family which left three people seriously injured, including a 22-year-old in a coma fighting for his life.
“We have been working around the clock and have several strong leads, including fingerprints and CCTV footage. The attack on the family was well orchestrated by a professional bomber who knew what he was doing. From what we know so far, this was a target hit as an act of revenge for a business deal gone wrong. But we are closing in on him and expect to make an arrest within the coming week.
"This has shocked all of us and is the first such incident we are dealing with. The last bomb attack in Durban took place in 1988 during apartheid,” a source close to the investigations told Independent Media.
Durban businessman Saleem Khan, 47, who is alleged to have been the target of the bomb but escaped as he was not home at the time, said the family was devastated.
“I arrived home to find my family in blood. My son was covered in torn flesh and blood. He could not even speak. The image will haunt me forever. I just remember putting him, my mother and daughter-in-law in the car and driving them to Parklands (hospital). I couldn’t even focus
We don’t deserve this to happen to us. We are a hard-working family and don’t have any enemies," he said.
"My son and I run an insurance company and have never had any deals going pear-shaped. All I can think of is that this might be professional jealousy.
"My 22-year-old son is now brain damaged and in an induced coma after undergoing a brain operation on Friday night. He also has serious facial injuries while my elderly mother and daughter-in-law are also struggling with serious shrapnel injuries to their legs and face," Khan said.
“We will not rest until those behind this are brought to book. The courier company must also be held responsible,” said Khan, who revealed this was the second attack on the family.
Two family cars were torched in the early hours in their garage as the family slept. Friday’s bomb was concealed in parcel with a bunch of flowers and a "get well card". A second, unopened bomb, also delivered to the family, was later detonated by police.
Deputy mayor Fawzia Peer, who visited the family in hospital on Saturday, called the incident "pure evil" and said she was terrified.