A Grahamstown man who left his home at 3am to buy cigarettes at a local tavern is fighting for his life at Settlers hospital following what is believed to have been a gang attack.
A Grahamstown man who left his home at 3am to buy cigarettes at a local tavern is fighting for his life at Settlers hospital following what is believed to have been a gang attack.
The 28-year-old, who left his home in the early hours of Sunday 26 April, was found half-naked and unconscious outside a popular drinking spot in Grahamstown.
His family, who were not aware of what had happened to the victim, grew suspicious after he failed to return home that morning.
After a three-day search, his family reported him missing to the police.
Details of his whereabouts emerged four days later after a neighbour, who was in Settlers hospital, told the family that he had seen a man looking like the victim being transferred to Livingstone Hospital earlier that week.
According to a relative, who may not be named for safety reasons, she instructed other relatives based in Port Elizabeth to visit Livingstone Hospital to investigate on Thursday 30 April.
"They discovered that it was really him. He spent the weekend there and was transferred back to Settlers."
The victim's sister told Grocott's Mail he is in a critical condition after suffering stab wounds on both shoulders, severe head injuries, a stab wound above his left eyebrow, a severely bruised head and face, swollen ears and loose teeth.
The man reportedly can't walk or talk and is assisted to eat, drink and go to the bathroom.
Grahamstown police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said a case of attempted murder and robbery is under investigation.
No one has been arrested.
The family is now living in fear after the suspects were identified as a gang living nearby.
