A young man is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela after he was stabbed during a robbery on Sunday afternoon.

Samson Thwala (19) is one of seven people who were stabbed in Tjakastad outside Badplaas on the same day.

According to Samson’s mum, Malindi Thwala, her son had gone to buy airtime vouchers with his two friends when they were attacked by a group of men with knives.

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“I have been informed that shortly after they had bought the airtime vouchers, a group of men armed with knives suddenly appeared from nowhere. They demanded cellphones and cash which were given to them, but they still stabbed my son and one of his friends,” said Malindi.

Samson was stabbed in the groin and bled profusely before being transported to the local hospital.

His mother said she was very shocked to later hear that five other victims had been robbed and stabbed in the area on that same day, bringing the total number of victims to seven.

All victims were rushed to Embhuleni Hospital for medical treatment.

Due to the seriousness of his stab wounds, Samson was immediately transferred to Rob Ferreira Hospital, 123km away for emergency surgery.

Samson underwent the operation on Monday, May 26, and when Lowvelder went to check on him at the hospital earlier today (Tuesday, May 27) he was still in ICU.

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The doctors confirmed that he was in a stable condition and could be relocated to the male surgical ward before the end of the day.

The Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, confirmed that seven people had been hospitalised after they were stabbed in the area on the same day.

“Skeleton dockets were opened for some of the victims and investigations into these crimes are ongoing,” said Ndubane