Police are hunting two men caught on video grappling, in front of several witnesses, with a woman who was stabbed repeatedly during a mugging in Parklands on Sunday evening.
The incident happened on the corner of Gie and Circle roads at about 8pm, say police.
Officers called to the scene found the woman with multiple stab wounds lying on the ground, said Table View police spokesperson Captain Adriana Chandler.
“The officers’ first priority was to get medical assistance for the victim and rushed her to a nearby medical facility.
“The only information officers could obtain was that the woman was approached by two unknown men who demanded her cellphone.
“She refused to give it to them, and the perpetrators started stabbing the victim, took her phone and ran away. No further information is currently available on the victim, and no arrests have yet been executed. A case of attempted murder is being investigated,” said Captain Chandler.
The video, posted on a Table View Facebook group on Monday afternoon, shows two men wrestling with the woman as she screams for help. The video appears to have been filmed by someone in and opposite yard.
As the woman screams, cars drive past, and motorists hoot and shout for the men to let her go.
One bystander charges at the two men, kicking at them, causing them to fall over. However, in just a few seconds, they get up and continue to wrestle with the woman for her cellphone. One of the men appears to punch the woman several times causing the bystander to back away, leading some who have seen the video to suggest that this was the moment when she was stabbed.
About three seconds later, the men, both wearing bright white T-shirts, get up and run off.
The video, which has been authenticated by the police, drew divided opinions on the Facebook group over the witnesses’ responses to the attack.
“Pathetic. They know most people won’t do anything to help the victim. The more people just allow it to happen, the more it will happen,” wrote Nico Traut.
Patricia Vivian wrote: “Shame on the people that just stood by and watched this happen. It could have been your mother, daughter, sister or wife.”
Some said that it was not always easy or the smart thing to do to jump in and help.
Angus Brits wrote: “So many armchair heroes on here (Facebook). Ask yourself if you and your family are prepared for the financial, physical and mental stress you are willing to endure should you take action. Would you take on two strong males with a knife?”
Police have asked anyone with information about this crime to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or the Table View police station at 021 521 3338.
