A tragic incident unfolded in Mountview, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday afternoon when a 61-year-old grandmother was brutally stabbed in the neck by her 22-year-old grandson, allegedly in a dispute over money for drugs.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), emergency officers were dispatched to the scene around 16:21. Upon their arrival, they found the woman at the back of a bakkie, gravely injured and bleeding heavily. A scarf had been tied around her neck in an attempt to stem the bleeding, and her clothing was drenched in blood.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the young man, who is reportedly a drug addict, demanded money from his grandmother to purchase narcotics. When she refused, the situation escalated into violence. He is said to have dragged her from the house and down an embankment to a nearby stream, where he stabbed her in the neck before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction.
The grandmother’s cries for help alerted nearby residents, who rushed to her aid. Neighbours administered basic first aid and transported her to the hospital in a private vehicle, as the severity of her injuries required immediate medical attention.
Local sources revealed that this was not the first time the grandmother had been subjected to abuse at the hands of her grandson. Previous incidents of violence had allegedly occurred, raising serious concerns about ongoing domestic abuse and the impact of substance addiction on families.
RUSA officers conducted a thorough search of the area using the suspect’s description, but no arrests had been made at the time of reporting. The man remains at large, and authorities are continuing efforts to locate and apprehend him.
This disturbing event has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the devastating effects of drug addiction and the vulnerability of elderly individuals in abusive family situations. Residents have expressed outrage and sadness over the attack, calling for greater support for both victims of domestic violence and those struggling with addiction.
Police are urging anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward and assist in the investigation. The case has also prompted renewed discussions around the need for stronger community interventions and social services to address drug abuse and protect at-risk individuals, especially the elderly.
As the investigation continues, the grandmother is receiving medical care, and her condition is being monitored closely. Her strength and resilience have been praised by those who assisted her, and the community is rallying around her in the aftermath of the horrifying attack.