Businessman severely assaulted with a panga
A local businessman was assaulted with a panga and left for dead outside his establishment on Friday evening.
KOMATIPOORT – A local businessman was assaulted with a panga and left for dead outside his establishment on Friday evening.
Mr Tony Fernandes (51) was found lying in a pool of blood by an unknown community member who immediately contacted the local SAPS.
According to Const Natacia Mbuyane, spokesman for the Komatipoort SAPS, the police rushed to the scene in Rissik Street and found Fernandes unconscious.
They immediately summoned the ambulance services. “It arrived and stabilised him whereafter he gained consciousness and told the police that the suspect was wearing a balaclava. Detectives are still investigating and we hope, with the assistance from the community we can bring the suspect to book,” said Mbuyane.
According to his sister-in-law, Ms Veronica Fernandes, the victim lives in a small apartment behind his establishment. He left the premises to drop off employees and when he returned he was attacked by a man with a panga.
Fernandes was rushed to Tonga Hospital where he was stabilised. He has a fractured skull and lacerations to his head and arm. Veronica said he was transferred to Rob Ferreira Hospital, where his cuts were stitched up and received no further medical attention.
The family pulled together and managed to gather enough funds to transfer Fernandes to Nelspruit Mediclinic where he was rushed to surgery and afterwards placed in ICU. Unfortunately he was again transferred to Rob Ferreira due to a lack of funds.
Police urge anyone with information to contact the local SAPS.
