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*We’re still having a hella hard time understanding what happened to Mhlengi Gwala. The South African triathlete suffered serious injuries to his legs Tuesday after being attacked by men with a chainsaw in Durban, South Africa.
Gwala, 27, was minding his own business, riding his bike, when three attackers pulled him off his bike and sawed into his right leg, according to Dennis Jackson, director of the athlete program for the KwaZulu-Natal province. Jackson added that the attackers also sawed into Gwala’s left leg before fleeing the scene, reports The Guardian.
“They grabbed me from the bike and asked where I was going,” Gwala said before going into surgery. “Then they pointed a gun at me and I panicked. But they didn’t say anything else and just pulled me into the bushes where they started doing what they did to me.”
Gwala suffered muscle, nerve and bone damage in his right leg, but surgeons were confident they could save it.
Sue de la Porte, who sponsors Gwala, told South Africa’s News24 that it appeared Gwala was being robbed.
“He tried offering them his cell phone and money,” de la Porte added. “But, they pinned him down and tried to saw off his leg.”
Damn, they attempted to saw off his legs? That’s the part that’s blowing people’s minds across the globe. What the hell was that all about?
By the way, Gwala represented South Africa in a 2015 competition in Chicago and last year in the Netherlands.
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Henri Shoeman, a triathlete who won bronze for South Africa at the Olympics in 2016, sent his well wishes to Gwala and questioned the safety of the country’s roads.
“A friend of mine, cycling in the Durban area was robbed by three people this morning, Then they attempted to saw off both legs with a chainsaw,” he tweeted. “Blade too blunt and only got half way through one and started on the other. Absolutely disgusting! How safe are we on SA roads?”
He added, “I wish all the best to @MhlengiGwala in his operation and road to recovery. We all stand behind you and support you as we need to make cycling safer on the roads in South Africa!”
A friend of mine, cycling in the Durban area was robbed by three people this morning, Then they attempted to saw off both legs with a chainsaw. Blade too blunt and only got half way through one and started on the other. Absolutely disgusting! How safe are we on SA roads?
— Henri Schoeman (@H_Schoeman) March 6, 2018
You can help the injured triathlete with his recovery by donating to the fund to support Gwala’s recovery was created at Back a Buddy.
We also want to our blessings and wish him a speedy recovery and JUSTICE.
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