Durban - A Phoenix senior citizen is fighting for his life in hospital after he was repeatedly struck with a spade on his head and body and stabbed in the neck during a home invasion on Sunday.
Joshua Pillay, 64, who was left for dead, was found by his 8-year-old grandson in a pool of blood in his bedroom.
Pillay’s son, Trevor William, who stays on the same property, said it was unclear what transpired but he was angered by the brutal and senseless attack.
“This was an inhumane act. They hurt a defenceless elderly person. We are no longer safe in our homes.”
A bloodied spade that belonged to the family was placed upright against the wall near Pillay’s body and a bloodied knife was left on the table.
The blade of a second knife, said William, was found in his father’s shoe and the handle on the floor.
His father remains in a critical condition and is on life support at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central hospital.
William said he and his family had been away since Friday and had returned home on Sunday afternoon.
His father was home alone, while his mother had gone to church that morning and then shopping.
“We had just returned from Chatsworth and my son ran up the driveway calling for his grandfather,” said William.
“The front door and gate was open and there were droplets of blood in the lounge. The trail led to the kitchen and into the bedroom where I found my dad lying in a corner next to the bed. His eyes were open but he was motionless and bleeding profusely.”
While his wife called for the paramedics and police, William rushed off to call a neighbour, who is a nurse.
“Using a towel, she placed pressure on the wound on his neck to stop the bleeding until the ambulance arrived.”
He added: “Our family is still deeply traumatised. My son, who is very close to my father, has been greatly affected seeing his grandfather in such a condition and my mother is finding it difficult to cope after the incident.
“Right now our family is praying for a miracle as we have been told he is unresponsive and has suffered brain injury due to being struck several times with a blunt object. He has also not been able to breathe on his own and remains on a ventilator.”
A laptop and two tablets are missing.
A case of house robbery and attempted murder is being investigated.