An elderly pensioner was brutally attacked and robbed at the Ladysmith post office on Sunday morning.
The 79-year-old woman went into town to collect post from her mailbox just after 9am.
As she began opening her mailbox, a man grabbed her from behind.
The terrified pensioner felt the cold steel of a razor-sharp knife sliding across her throat. The man threatened to kill her if she did not hand over all the money she had.
The petrified woman gave the man what he wanted.
He then tossed her to the ground with such force that she suffered a fractured pelvis.
The man took personal belongings and her wallet before fleeing on foot.
The woman was left writhing in pain and unable to stand.
She had the presence of mind to phone her son, who contacted Public Safety. Police, Public Safety and ambulance services responded.
The woman was rushed to hospital and is currently being treated for her injuries.
This is the second such attack at the post office in less than a week.
Angry residents have demanded that both the post office and police step up security in the area.