Two men land in hospital after an alleged attack in Cresslawn
“My husband was asking the other person not to do something. I didn’t hear any fighting, but I heard the fear in his voice."
An altercation in Cresslawn, Kempton Park, saw two people hospitalised with severe injuries.
ALSO READ: Norkem police arrest four Thembisa police officers for alleged kidnapping and assault
Sarah Dlamini* (35) from Cresslawn said she now fears for her safety because the police delayed opening a case against those accused of injuring her husband and brother on March 4.
Dlamini said her brother was stabbed, and her husband was assaulted and left with internal injuries because of the altercation.
She said on that day, her husband and brother left the house to buy alcohol at a nearby shop.
When they failed to return several hours later, Dlamini tried to call them, but no one answered their phone.
After her husband finally answered, Dlamini heard him pleading with another person.
“My husband was asking the other person not to do something. I didn’t hear any fighting, but I heard the fear in his voice,” she said.
Dlamini added that after the call ended, she took to an acquaintance to the scene to ask what was happening.
“He told me there was a fight going on.”
She said she ran to the shop and found her husband and brother lying in the grass. Dlamini said both were unconscious, and no one was around to help them.
She told the Express that, according to her brother, her husband was talking to someone about cars he had purchased.
ALSO READ: Ivory Park Police arrest four suspects for assaulting and setting man on fire
“There was an argument about the change of ownership for the vehicles.”
It is believed those involved were under the influence of alcohol at the time.
According to Dlamini, another group of men attacked her husband and brother during the argument.
Her brother sustained stab wounds to his hands, face and neck. Her husband was severely beaten.
The group fled the scene before Dlamini arrived.
She said the police were contacted several times after the attack, and she even tried to call the Sebenza Police Station directly, but there was no reply.
ALSO READ: Man (70) arrested for 2017 sexual assault incident
Dlamini said the neighbours told her the police officers only arrived after the victims were taken to the hospital.
“The officers didn’t stop to take statements about what happened and just left the scene.”
Dlamini believes the police didn’t attend to the case because one of the accused is related to an officer at the Sebenza Police Station.
“Since the incident, I have had people come to my house twice. They open the gate and leave it open.
“When I go outside to see, there is no one there. I have also had people jumping the walls into my yard at night,” she said.
Dlamini’s brother was discharged from the hospital soon after the attack.
As of last Friday, her husband was still in Edenvale Hospital.
She said she feels unsafe because she is pregnant and lives alone with her children while her husband receives medical care.
Dlamini said her brother received a text message from the SAPS confirming that a case was opened.
She added that on March 13, her brother received another message saying four suspects were arrested, and their first court appearance was the same day.
The Sebenza SAPS confirmed they were made aware of the incident through a radio call on March 5 at about 04:00 and opened a case.
According to the spokesperson for the station, Sergeant Sharon Tsotsotso, opening the case was delayed because the complainant was drunk at the time of taking the statement.
“Four male suspects who reside in Cresslawn were arrested on March 11 and charged with assault GBH and attempted murder.”
Tsotsotso added that the victim identified suspects.
ALSO READ: Rabie Ridge landlord arrested for assault
“None of the accused is related to any police officers at the Sebenza Police Station,” she confirmed.
“The suspects appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court and were granted bail.
“We do not know when their next appearance is because the docket is not yet back from court,’’ explained Tsotsotso.
On Thursday, Dlamini’s husband was transferred to Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital for surgery.
* Dlamini’s identity was withheld to protect minor children in her household.
Also follow us on:
