Durban -
A 16-year-old pupil has undergone surgery after being stabbed for his cellphone while waiting for a lift on the roadside in Sydenham.
Zaine Esau of Greenwood Park, who is a Grade 10 pupil at Centenary Secondary School, was robbed of his Blackberry phone and then stabbed three times on his right leg in Randles Road on Monday while waiting for his aunt to take him home.
His aunt, Sasha Lee Esau, said Zaine had been confronted by two men who asked him for time.
“He replied that he did not know. Zaine noticed one man take out a knife from his shoe. They asked him for his wallet and cellphone. Zaine said they could have the R30 but he wanted his wallet returned. One of the men tried to cut open the teenager’s pants to get to his phone.
“A scuffle ensued when Zaine tried to defend himself,” Esau said.
The men took his phone and fled.
The knife wounds ripped open an artery on his thigh. Zaine hopped to the nearby Gateway Park complex where Esau lives and asked security to call her for assistance.
“He collapsed on the driveway. Bystanders assisted us. I put his head on my lap and consoled him while a nurse from the complex tried to bandage his wounds and stop the bleeding. One of the residents put a towel in his car and lowered the front seat. We carried Zaine into the car and transported him to hospital. He was losing consciousness,” she said.
“We want the people responsible for this arrested. Zaine is suffering. He is in a lot of pain. He almost bled to death,” Esau said.
Zaine underwent an operation last night and is recovering in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
“Doctors had to use one of the veins from his left leg. He suffered blood loss and 80 percent of his muscle on his leg was damaged,” Esau said.
His mother, Sharne Esau, said the incident has left her stressed and was relieved last night when the operation went well.
“I would not wish for any parent to go through this. His legs are swollen and he had to be sedated because of the pain. I have not slept since the incident. Both leg wounds were open, so they had to be stitched,” she said.
The family went to Sydenham police station to report the attack the same evening but police asked them to bring Zaine in to open a case. They also suggested trying Mayville police station because the incident could be in their patrol area.
On Wednesday, Mayville Police arrived to open a case and get details.
“There are two men out on the streets armed with knives (while) the police deliberate who has jurisdiction of the area before they can investigate the case. Vital evidence from the scene is also lost.
“Does it matter whose policing area it is or does it matter that the criminals are out there?” Esau said.
Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said Mayville police had opened a case of robbery and assault.
Daily News