Boy, 13 stabbed nine times for his phone

Johannesburg – A 13-year-old boy was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being stabbed nine times in the back for his cellphone.

The boy had been waiting for a bus on the side of Gerrit Maritz Road in Witpoortjie, Roodepoort, after writing an exam on Wednesday.

Five people approached him and tried to grab his cellphone and then stabbed the boy multiple times.

West Suburbs Roodepoort Neighbourhood Watch spokesman Frik van Zyl said an argument allegedly broke out between them.

The boy tried to run away but the group followed him.

“He was then stabbed nine times in the back. They didn’t get the cellphone though; it was still on him.”

Van Zyl said the boy was in a critical but stable condition.

He was unable to confirm which school the pupil attended.

“We’re also not 100 percent sure about the circumstances surrounding what happened because he still had the phone on him when he was found.”

ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said paramedics arrived on the scene just before noon to find the boy lying face down in the middle of the road.

“The boy was surrounded by numerous members of the public. Paramedics assessed the boy, finding him in a critical condition with multiple stab wounds on his back,” he said.

Meiring said paramedics immediately began their treatment, providing the boy with advanced life support interventions.

“Once treated, paramedics transported the patient to Leratong Hospital.”

Gauteng police spokesman Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng was unable to confirm the incident at the time of publication.

Van Zyl said crime in the area was on the rise and it was becoming increasingly violent.

“It’s bad. We’ve had two months of hijackings and armed house robberies over Friday evenings and weekends.”

He said patrols were being stepped up.

ilanit.chernick@inl.co.za

@Lanc_02

The Star

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