AN Ethiopian shop assistant was attacked at a local Madlankala shop on Tuesday evening, in an apparent criminal rather than xenophobic attack.
The shop keeper was reportedly preparing to close, when around 8:15pm someone knocked on the door.
When he tried to open it, two gun-carrying men pounced and began beating and stabbing him.
During the attack a young local female assistant ran for her life and alerted neighbours, who then called the police.
The assailants ransacked the shop and quickly ran off, leaving the beaten shop keeper bleeding profusely.
After being alerted, Madlankala CPF Chairperson Jabulani Mtshali called the eSikhaleni police, who found the criminals had looted the inside of the shop, evidenced by the topsy-turvy state inside.
The injured man was rushed to eSikhaleni clinic where his wounds were bandaged and was then transferred to Ngwelezana Hospital.
The shop was previously targeted in the early hours of March 25, possibly by the same suspects, but was thwarted by dogs in the yard.
Police confirmed a case of business robbery was opened but said the attack was not linked to xenophobia.
