Residents of Bishop Lavis woke to a disturbing scene on Monday morning when a severely injured man was discovered lying in Jessica Street shortly after 5am.
A passer-by, who happened to be travelling home from Cape Town International Airport, spotted flames on the roadside and initially assumed it was a pile of discarded clothing, as per the Cape Argus.
Only when he approached did he realise a man was lying in the fire, still moving. Acting quickly, he used sand from the roadside to put out the flames, explaining that no one else was around to help. The man, who asked that his identity be withheld for safety reasons, said he was grateful he reached the victim in time.
He later told community representatives that the victim appeared to have been attacked elsewhere before being left on the pavement. The good Samaritan noted that the man’s clothing was soaked with blood, yet the ground beneath him showed no signs of the attack taking place there.
The Bishop Lavis Community Police Forum chairperson, Amanda Davids, was alerted by residents who came across the aftermath. She contacted emergency services immediately, and paramedics arrived soon after to assist the injured man.
According to police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala, officers have opened an attempted murder case. Police confirmed that the 32-year-old victim had been assaulted before being left in the street and that he had suffered multiple injuries, including wounds to his face and neck, along with burns to his upper body. The motive behind the attack is still unknown, and the suspects remain unidentified.
Community members say the man is fortunate to have been found when he was, with the passer-by emphasising that he did what anyone would hope a stranger would do for their own family.
Police investigations are continuing as authorities work to determine who is responsible and what led to the brutal incident.
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