GEORGE NEWS - A resident of Heatherlands, an upmarket suburb in George, is badly shaken after being attacked in broad daylight while walking home from the CBD at about 13:00 today.

The 54-year-old victim, who asked that his name be withheld, had just turned the corner from Davidson Road into Barry Road when he passed a man sitting on the curb. The man got up and started walking alongside him.

When they reached the corner of Plover and Barry roads, the man pulled a knife and demanded money.

He began stabbing wildly at the victim, who sustained wounds to his hands while protecting himself and trying to tell the attacker he would hand over his money without a fight.

The resident says the attacker then took his wallet, removed the cash, dropped the wallet on the sidewalk, and walked away with “a couple of hundred rand”.

He told the George Herald that it could have been much worse. “I am shaken, but just glad to be alive. Something was watching over me.”

The man received medical treatment after the attack and will have to manage with bandaged hands for the next few days.

Asked if he would be able to recognise his attacker, he said he is unsure as “the events are all a bit of a haze”.

According to the local neighbourhood watch, it has had its hands full with known criminals walking the streets of Heatherlands – especially on Mondays – garbage collection day.

Many apparently pretend to be bag scratchers, but have criminal records and are believed to be scouting for soft targets and easy prey.

Able-bodied residents are urged to contact the CGH Neighbourhood Watch to help patrol the area in an effort to improve safety. 

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