A Chatsworth policeman was stabbed with a kitchen knife when he responded to a distress call from neighbours about a man, who was allegedly assaulting his 78-year-old father.
The 47-year-old man appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was released on R500 bail on Tuesday.
A source close to the investigation said two police officers had responded to a distress call after neighbours heard the man assaulting his elderly father.
“When one of the police officers went to arrest the man, he tried to stab him. When the other officer intervened, he was stabbed in his arm with a kitchen knife,” said the source.
“The suspect claimed he did not know that the officers were policemen as they had responded in civilian clothes. He said he thought his house was being broken into. But the officers said they had identified themselves by showing their SAPS appointment cards to the man. Elderly abuse is becoming increasingly common in the Indian community. Something needs to be done and the courts need to stop being lenient on those who inflict harm on elders,” said the source.
Claude Soobramodey, head of Amawele Emergency Services, said paramedics were called out to the Chatsworth police station to treat the officer.
“He was a young constable. He and his partner had driven back to the police station after the incident and arrest of the suspect. We were told the man had resisted arrest and assaulted the officers, and he thereafter grabbed a kitchen knife and lunged at one of them. He stabbed the officer when he tried to restrain him. He was stabilised and thereafter transported to a nearby hospital for the further care he required,” he added.
KZN police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza, said: “On Friday, police officers proceeded to Carmel Drive in Shallcross to effect an arrest. The suspect resisted arrest and stabbed one of the police officers, who sustained a laceration to his right hand. Police arrested the suspect and placed him in custody. The accused was charged for assault and resisting arrest.”
Cheryl Naidoo, manager of the Durban Association For The Aged (Dafta), said in Chatsworth, abuse against the elderly at the hands of their own children was rife.
“We see cases of physical assault, neglect, financial abuse, emotional abuse and isolation of elderly people. This problem is rife and is ongoing. Elderly people are left without food for days, and they are also left without medical care.
“There are many forms of abuse, which includes basic needs not being met, neglect, financial abuse, physical abuse, isolation. Many elderly people are left isolated and they are not included in the family unit. The family unit isolates them they are not included in events
“Failure to take care of their medical needs and take care of health issues is also a concern. Many elderly people are dependent on their grants to survive. They are expected to use their grants to take care of themselves, but grants are not enough. The elderly are also subject to abuse revolving around material possessions, where they sign their homes over to their children, and their children leave them destitute and homeless. We urge residents, especially neighbours, to be the voice of the elderly and report any suspicions of abuse to the authorities,” added Naidoo.