Update:
The mother of the 18-month-old boy who was stabbed by his father in a Durbanville playground has spoken publicly for the first time, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Her 35-year-old ex-husband, who is charged with stabbing their child in the neck with a chef’s knife on Saturday, 25 January, reportedly acted out of anger related to their ongoing divorce and dissatisfaction with his access to the child.
The father remains under police watch at a private hospital in Cape Town, while the boy is receiving care at a local children’s hospital and is on the road to recovery.
The case against the father is set to continue in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 4 February.
A routine refreshment break turned into a desperate rescue mission for a medical team in Durbanville yesterday, after a shocking scene of violence unfolded, Cape {town} Etc reports.
At approximately 11:40am, paramedics from Titanium Securitas Medical Response were parked at an Engen service station when a vehicle screeched to a halt beside their ambulance.
The sight that greeted the medical crew was horrific. A mother, visibly distressed and covered in blood, held her young child, whose neck was gravely injured from what appeared to be stab wounds. Acting swiftly, the Titanium team immediately took custody of the child. They quickly loaded the critically injured child into their ambulance in a race against time to stabilize him before transporting him to Durbanville Mediclinic Hospital.
While at the hospital, the team received alarming news that the child’s father was also in critical condition and still at the location of the initial incident. The team returned to the scene, upon arrival they were confronted with a standoff at a local Playpark baby room where they learned that father was still in possession of a large knife. After a tense confrontation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the father was eventually detained and treated for his own injuries. He was subsequently transferred to another medical facility under police guard due to the critical nature of his condition, after being stabilised.
Initial reports from the scene indicate that the father had allegedly stabbed his young child before turning the weapon on himself. The incident has left the community reeling in shock and disbelief.
The investigation into the events are ongoing.
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Picture: Sharon Seretlo / Gallo Images
