A two-year-old child, who was stabbed multiple times while being held hostage by a man in Oranjeville in the Free State, was rescued after police shot and injured the suspect.

According to Sergeant Josephine Rani, spokesperson for the Fezile Dabi District, the police received a complaint on February 19 at 08:00 about a child being held hostage.

“The child was being held hostage by a suspect at a residence in Metsimahalo, Oranjeville. The suspect allegedly stabbed the child multiple times and threatened to slit his throat.”

“The members swiftly responded to the scene and shot the suspect in the left calf, thereby rescuing the child. The child was rushed to the clinic for medical attention,” said Rani.

The 39-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with attempted murder and will appear in the Sasolburg Magistrate Court.