Man’s throat cut in Margate street

HAVING suffered what was described by a surgeon as a ‘cut to kill wound’, Fanie Olwagen (50) is lucky to be alive.

He was severely beaten, stabbed and had his throat slit in a scuffle with four men in Marine Drive last Saturday evening.

Mr Olwagen and his wife Esme (46) had returned from a meeting to discuss the ongoing disorderly behavior of residents in a building opposite their flat.

It’s believed that the couple had just opened the electronic gate at their block of flats when the altercation occurred.

He was taken to Port Shepstone Provincial Hospital where ‘it was touch and go’. For some three hours the family sat in the hospital’s waiting room, hoping and praying he would pull though. He was discharged on Monday and has since been recovering at home.

Mr Olwagen suffered  a stab wound to his left armpit, knife wound to his neck, severe injury and bruising to his face and a broken jaw. He will be travelling to a Durban hospital on Thursday for facial reconstruction surgery.

Police spokesman, Captain Gerald Mfeka, confirmed that police are investigating a case of assault with the purpose to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Marine Drive residents have described this particular block of flats as ‘dangerous’ and rife with prostitution.

For the past six months those living in the area, including several elderly people, have reportedly had to contend with noise, parties, bottle throwing, loud hooting and people running around the streets, fighting and shouting late into the night.

On many occasions police and even a security company have been called to calm the situation. The landlord has also been notified about the anti-social behaviour.

The managing agent for the complex said that they have dealt with the problems responsibly and the ‘one or two bad apples’ have since been removed from the premises.

“Moving forward we are confident that we have a good class of tenants who are reliable professionals,” said the agent.