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. 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. “My friend, along with several other motorists, witnessed the reckless driving.

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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.

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