A man (38) appeared in absentia in the Volksrust Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 29 September on allegations of attempted murder and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Police rescued a 40-year-old woman, believed to be his girlfriend, on Sunday, 28 September.
Preliminary police investigations suggested that the two had an argument in their rented room, where the man stabbed the woman.
A member of the public notified police and upon their arrival, the suspect was found to hold the woman hostage by locking her inside the house.
The suspect refused to allow police entry and threatened to kill her if they did not leave the scene.
Police broke the door and the woman was stabbed a second time, before he turned towards the police, brandishing a knife.
They defended themselves by firing a shot which hit him on the leg.
He was then arrested and both were taken to hospital for treatment.
The case was postponed to Wednesday, 30 September and the suspect remanded in custody. He is under police guard at the hospital.
Police strongly condemned the incident and called once again on the public to refrain from using violence in resolving domestic issues.
Officers at the scene were applauded for responding in such a way as to save the woman’s life.
