Maitland police are on the hunt for a taxi driver believed to be involved in a road rage incident where a motorist was stabbed on Thursday 26 June.
The incident took place at the intersection of Canon and Voortrekker roads, Maitland.
In a graphic video that has been widely circulated on social media, two men can be seen in a scuffle.
The pair fell on the road, after which the taxi driver allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the other motorist.
Capt FC van Wyk, provincial police spokesperson, said police are investigating the matter.
He said it only came to their attention recently, and a detective was assigned to the case on Wednesday 9 July.
“He (the detective) found the victim in hospital, where an affidavit was obtained to be investigated.”
According to Van Wyk, Maitland police registered an attempted murder case.
“According to reports, the taxi driver of a white Toyota Quantum started a fight following an argument, and the complainant fought back. The taxi driver managed to make the complainant fall and then took out a knife and stabbed the complainant eight times. The taxi driver is an unidentified male, short in height and of chubby build.”
The victim’s sister urged Facebook users to come forward with information.
“The incident began after the taxi driver repeatedly drove recklessly, cutting my brother off and using his mobile phone while driving. Unfortunately, this road rage incident escalated and ended with my brother being stabbed multiple times by the taxi driver and possibly the gaatjie. The driver then fled in the direction of Bellville,” read the post.
She explained that her brother managed to drive to N1 City Mall to fetch his daughter from the college, where he collapsed.
She also thanked the petrol attendants at a nearby petrol station who rushed her brother to the hospital.
“He underwent emergency surgery for internal bleeding caused by a lacerated spleen. By the mercy of Allah (SWT), his major organs were missed, and thanks to the thickness of his hoodie, the stab wounds to his neck were not fatal.”
She added that he has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home.
According to the Cape Chamber of Commerce, chair of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in the province Mandla Hermanus, condemned the incident. He told the Chamber that the driver is expected to hand himself to the police today (July 11).
People’s Post could not reach Hermanus to confirm whether the driver has been arrested.
