Unknown suspects chop off man’s hands in eMalahleni
The police found the victim's hands where the incident had taken place. They believe these remains will assist in the investigation.
A 30-year-old man narrowly escaped death after both his hands were cut off by six unknown suspects as he was walking on the Kromdraai Road towards Ext 16 in Vosman, eMalahleni, early on Wednesday morning, March 20.
A Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said: “These men were driving in a green Opel Corsa bakkie, and appeared behind him. They stopped and pointed a firearm at him, grabbed and forced him into the bakkie, where they tied both his hands and legs.”
He said the suspects told the victim they were going to kill him. “They drove with him into the bushes and got out. They chopped his hands off, and as if that was not enough, they took both his hands and fled, leaving him behind in despair. The victim suffered excruciating pain and bled profusely, however, he was discovered by some security officers who came to his aid.”
Mdhluli said the police and medical personnel were summoned to the scene and the victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
He confirmed the police have opened a case of attempted murder and are in pursuit of the suspects.
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He said a group of detectives, the K9 Unit, the Criminal Record Centre and the Investigative Psychology Unit revisited the scene on Monday afternoon, March 25, to search for the victim’s hands. “It was during this time that they found them. This latest development will form part of the broader investigation.”
Mdluli made an appeal to the community to help the police with any information. Contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Muntu Mbatha on 082 600 8537 or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or send information via the My SAPS app.
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The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has vowed to hunt these suspects down and bring them to book. “Though the victim was not killed, these acts committed by the suspects are heartless and should be condemned in the strongest possible way,” she said.
