The police arrested a 27-year-old suspect last night following the vicious panga attack on a couple strolling in Plettenberg Bay early on Tuesday morning.

According to an article published by Knysna-Plett Herald, the man was arrested at 21:30 in Qolweni, Plettenberg Bay.

Captain FC van Wyk, Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, says the suspect will appear in court once charged.

Van Wyk says both the victims, a woman aged 70 and her husband 73, who were attacked in Challenge Drive at 05:10 on Tuesday when they wouldn’t give up the woman’s handbag to the robber, have been discharged from hospital.

Otto Olivier, operations manager of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association, posted a statement today describing the man as his hero, for fighting back to protect his wife.

Olivier wrote: “Well done Qolweni community crime fighters for your passion, dedication, and drive to search and identify a possible suspect in the Challenge Drive attack incident.

“A person was handed over to SAPS last night. Let us hope that this terrible incident ends up as a feel-good story in the end, a town focused and working together to fight crime. This beautiful place we all call home is not like any other town when it comes to people known as Plettonians.

“The victims are in our prayers, hopefully in time, they will recover from this gruesome experience. I, for one, will always remember the 74-year-old man fighting back to protect his wife, he is for sure one of my heroes. Yours in security.”

Attack on CCTV

The shocking attack was caught on CCTV camera and has gone viral on social media. The footage shows the man approaching the couple from behind and attempting to grab the woman’s handbag, but she holds on for dear life.

The attacker then starts hacking at the couple with a panga and pushes them to the ground, but they continue to put up a fight, refusing to let the bag go. Eventually, the attacker runs off.

The couple was taken to Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay by a member of the public where the woman was treated for cuts and a broken arm. Her husband was treated for cuts.

Van Wyk said in a statement on Tuesday that Plettenberg Bay police were investigating a ‘robbery aggravated case’.