Homeless man stabbed behind Checkers
EMMERENTIA – A homeless man who was stabbed is recovering at Charlotte Maxeke Acedemic Hospital.
A homeless man was allegedly stabbed behind Checkers supermarket on the corner of Barry Hertzog Avenue and Luzi Lane in Emmarentia.
The incident took place at about 11.30am on 30 March in full view of customers and residents.
Resident, Johnathan Cumming said he was driving by when the incident took place and noticed a group of people on the scene.
“I saw the homeless man lying on the ground with his trousers full of blood,” he said. “I initially thought that he was dead before I found out what happened to him. Checkers dumps their food at the back of the store and I often see the homeless people hovering at the back looking for food.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Parkview Police Station, Captain Tinswalo Sibeko, said a group of homeless people was allegedly embroiled in a fight behind the supermarket. Apparently, one man stabbed another during the altercation.
A case of assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm was opened at the station after police officers were called to the scene.
“The victim was found bleeding by members of the police and the man who had allegedly stabbed him ran away by the time we arrived on the scene,” said Sibeko. “The wounded man was transported to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital for his injuries, after being attended to by [paramedics] on the scene.”
The police took statements from witnesses and the case is still under investigation.
In a statement, Shoprite Group Media said, “The Checkers chain is in the process of gathering information on the incident during which a homeless man was apparently stabbed during a scuffle between a large group of homeless people after they had forcibly taken possession of a trolley of fruit and vegetable waste. Checkers regards this as a sad occurrence.”
Shoprite said they did not hand out food to individuals and surplus food was donated to local charities and community groups.
“The branch will relook at security requirements to ensure that waste destined for destruction is not accessible to [homeless people].”
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