South African Triathlete Mhlengi Gwala was training in the city of Durban was he was caught by surprise. Three attackers ambushed him and tried to cut his legs off with a chainsaw.
As the three men got a hold of Gwala, they dragged him off the road so no commotion would be noticed. One of his legs were cut into and resulted in severe injuries. He would end up having surgery, said Director Dennis Jackson of the KwaZulu-Natal province in a statement to The Guardian.
Damage was done to Gwala’s right calf in which his muscles, nerves and bones were affected. Jackson also said that the attackers tried to saw into Gwala’s left leg. They soon left before any more damage was done and Gwala was soon able to find a car that would take him to the hospital.
A friend of mine, cycling in the Durban area was robbed by three people this morning, Then they attempted to saw off both legs with a chainsaw. Blade too blunt and only got half way through one and started on the other. Absolutely disgusting! How safe are we on SA roads?
— Henri Schoeman (@H_Schoeman) March 6, 2018
South Africa’s deputy sports minister Gert Oosthuizen said the attack was “totally unacceptable” and that local authorities are investigating the incident. Gwala is is set to undergo surgery. A friend of his said that it was attempted murder and not a robbery.
Let me add it was not a robbery. Police are investigating attempted murder. They did not steal anything, even after Mhlengi offered them his bike and iPhone.
— Henri Schoeman (@H_Schoeman) March 8, 2018