As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign drew to a close, a three-year-old girl survived a knife attack allegedly carried out by her uncle (35).

The incident occurred in Mganwini outside Hluhluwe on Wednesday. A close family member told the Zululand Observer that they suspect the man is mentally unwell.

Mother and sister witness attack

The child’s mother was inside with her sister at the time.

“While they were in the house, they spotted their brother passing by the window. He was talking to himself, which they thought was strange,” the family member said.

“They saw their brother holding the child between his thighs. He had a knife in his hand and was trying to cut the child’s throat. When he realised that his sisters were approaching, he let the child fall on the ground, bleeding,” she said.

The man then attempted to chase the women away, threatening them with the knife.

“They managed to get the child away and rushed her to Macabuzela Clinic for medical attention. I think there’s something wrong with him, or he is losing his mind,” the family member said.

Police respond and suspect hospitalised

uMkhanyakude Cluster police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sibusiso Mkhize said a case of attempted murder was registered at Hluhluwe SAPS for further investigation.

“Shortly after the incident, police went out to look for a suspect. He was found bleeding as he had tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself in the neck and stomach,” Mkhize said.

Hluhluwe SAPS rushed him to the clinic for medical assistance.

“The knife he allegedly used was not found – it’s believed that he threw it away. We suspect he is not mentally stable, but that would have to be confirmed by medical doctors. As soon as he gets discharged, he will be formally charged for attempted murder,” Mkhize said.

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