Durban - An off-duty policeman who was stabbed 10 times during a robbery at a Pinetown intersection has urged motorists to be more vigilant and aware of what is going on around them.
Speaking to the Daily News yesterday about his ordeal, Sergeant Marlon Pillay, 37, of Reservoir Hills, said he had gone to Pinetown on Saturday afternoon to meet friends.
He was stopped at the intersection of Richmond and Gillitts roads when a man stepped up, reached through his open window, switched off the car and took the key out of the ignition.
Pillay, a detective at the Sydenham police station, said he held on to the man’s hand and eventually he dropped the key inside the car.
Another robber appeared at the window with a knife in his hand and a scuffle ensued as one of the robbers got into the car and tried to grab his firearm, which he had drawn.
“The other man began stabbing me on my back. I could do nothing. A passing motorist came to my aid,” Pillay said.
“We managed to arrest the suspect inside the car. His accomplice fled.”
Fortunately, the stab wounds were not deep enough to hit vital organs but the ordeal has given Pillay sleepless nights.
“Normally I have all my windows closed. I had switched off the aircon to catch some fresh air when it happened.
“I urge motorists to be careful at intersections and keep their windows closed.”
Police spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane, said the robbers had demanded Pillay’s wallet and cellphone.
A 28-year-old man had been arrested and had appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of robbery and attempted murder.
Daily News