Durban – An 86-year-old woman was stabbed several times during an attempted robbery at her home in the Northdale area of Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday morning.
According to Mi7 National Group spokesperson Colin David, the group's Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the property just after 9am after receiving reports that a resident had been stabbed.
“Medics found that the 86-year-old had sustained eight stab wounds to the arms and legs and had lost a lot of blood,” he said.
David said medics worked quickly to stabilise the woman who was then rushed to a nearby hospital for further care.
“It is believed the woman was attacked by suspects parading as grass cutters. The suspects were let on to the premises to tend to the yard work when they forced their way into the house,” he said.
He said the suspects made off on foot with a number of stolen items.
David said Mi7 armed response launched an extensive search for the suspects.
“As management, we wish the woman a full and speedy recovery. We also caution other residents from employing the services of passers-by or strangers for household work,” he added.
In a separate incident, David said a wanted suspect was arrested in Northdale on Tuesday morning.
He said members of the group’s armed response were dispatched after receiving a distress call from a Northdale client.
The client reported that there was a trespasser on the property, he said.
David said a description of the suspect was passed on to reaction officers, who were enroute, by the Mi7 control room operators.
“Along with their counterparts from another service provider, Mi7 Reaction Officers strategically cordoned off and entered the property, apprehending one suspect on site. The suspect was found in possession of narcotics and a stolen cellphone.
“According to the police, the suspect is wanted for other cases of housebreaking in the area. The matter was handed over to the police for further investigation,” said David.
