Suspects attack triathlete with chainsaw
They cut deep into his one leg until they hit the bone and the saw got stuck.
Athlets from around KwaZulu-Natal have expressed their shock over the brutal attack of Hlengi Gwala after he was attacked by three men who attempted to cut his leg off with a chainsaw in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Northglen News reports.
Gwala, a Chesterville resident, was cycling near the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College Campus) around 3.30am when he was stopped by three men.
His friend and training partner, Sandile Shange explained how the horrific incident took place.
“He was cycling up the hill towards UKZN when he was stopped by the three men. They began dragging him towards the bushes and he thought they were trying to rob him so he offered his iPhone and his Garmin watch to the men. He was speaking in Zulu and pleading with the men to take the bicycle and his valuables but he realised they were speaking a different African language. They pulled him into the bushes and pulled out a chainsaw and they began using it to try and cut his leg off.
“They were using it manually and they cut deep into his one leg until they hit the bone and the saw got stuck. He was screaming for help and that’s when a passing security vehicle disturbed the men who ran off. He is currently in Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital where he is recovering. The doctors will examine him again today (Wednesday) and the blood flow is good at the moment,” Shange said.
Durban North Olympic medallist, Henri Schoeman, who knows Gwala, said he was horrified by the incident.
“When I first heard the news, my heart sunk and I couldn’t comprehend how something like that could even be possible. As a cyclist, road safety is something very close to my heart. I wish Mhlengi all the best in his operation today and I hope he makes a full recovery. I know that he’s got tons of support here in Durban to help him through this tough time,” he said.
Schoeman also took to Twitter to express his disgust at the attack.
I wish all the best to @MhlengiGwala in his operation and road to recovery. We all stand behind you and support you as we need to make cycling safer on the roads in South Africa!
— Henri Schoeman (@H_Schoeman) March 6, 2018
Fellow KZN athlete, Chad Ho also expressed his dismay at the attack.
“Absolutely shocked and horrified about the news on a fellow athlete. Please keep Mhlengi Mhle Gwala in your prayers and thoughts,” he urged.
Read original story on northglennews.co.za
