Man stabbed in road rage altercation

A 40-year-old Westville man is expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a charge of attempted murder following an alleged road rage incident on Armitage Road, near the N3 interchange, on Saturday morning.

It is alleged that the suspect stabbed self-employed Copesville resident Elton Pillay (35) following a confrontation over the man’s driving.

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A close family friend, who was called to assist Pillay, his fiancé and his 10-year-old niece, said they were left severely shaken following the incident, which allegedly began when they were leaving the Pietermaritzburg CBD.

Mandy Ramsunder said that when she and her husband arrived at the scene, they found Pillay leaning against his vehicle.

They were so shaken following the incident. His fiancé and niece were crying as they witnessed everything. My friend told me that they noticed this man driving very erratically from the time they left the Pietermaritzburg CBD, near Victoria Road.

“He said the man was driving dangerously and endangered the lives of several motorists.

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“My friend, along with several other motorists, witnessed the reckless driving. When they reached the area just before the off-ramp, they stopped to ask him why he was driving in such an irresponsible manner.

“The man then allegedly told my friend to get out so they could talk about it. The man punched my friend and my friend retaliated.

“An altercation then ensued and my friend thought he was being punched, but realised he was actually being stabbed. The man then drove off.

My friend had to receive immediate medical attention and was taken to Northdale Hospital before being transferred to Grey’s Hospital, where he had surgery and received more than 30 stitches.

“He is traumatised,” said Ramsunder.

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Pillay was found bleeding profusely and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported to hospital by ER24 for further medical treatment.

The suspect was later apprehended at a shopping centre in Westville, Durban following an operation by security company GM Force Special Ops, who played a pivotal role in the investigation and arrest on Tuesday.

Several other roleplayers were also involved in tracking the man down.

“The matter was initially reported as a motor vehicle accident; however, subsequent information confirmed that the incident stemmed from a road rage confrontation between two adult male motorists,” GM Force Special Ops told The Witness.

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The suspect fled immediately after the incident in a silver Volkswagen Tiguan. A case of attempted murder was subsequently registered at Pietermaritzburg SAPS, and the suspect’s vehicle was circulated on the eNatis system.

“Following the gathering and analysis of information, intelligence was and shared with the investigating officer responsible for the case docket. An intelligence-driven operation was then initiated to locate the suspect.

“The operational team proceeded to Westville. After approximately eight hours of observation, the suspect was positively identified.

“The operational team moved in and successfully apprehended the suspect without incident,” GM Force Special Ops said.

Members of Westville SA Police Service (SAPS) effected the arrest. The silver Volkswagen Tiguan allegedly used in the road rage incident was also seized.

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The man was detained overnight at Westville SAPS and was transported to Pietermaritzburg police station on Wednesday, where he was formally charged with attempted murder by the investigating officer.

KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that the suspect is expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.