Mhlengi Gwala legs cut off with saw

Police are frantically looking for a group of men who attacked an athlete and used a saw to cut his legs.

27-year-old triathlete Mhlengi Mhle Gwala of Durban, South Africa, was on his way to a training class at 3:15 a.m. when he was pulled off from his bike and dragged into some bushes.

Gwala said that he offered the 3 men his wallet, cellphone, and expensive bike. They took the items and proceeded to cut him.

Crawled away

The men used a saw to cut into his right calf, damaging muscle, nerves, and bone. The group then went for his second leg and caused some damage before fleeing from the scene.

Gwala managed to crawl to a road, where he was able to get help from a passing motorist.

play Mhlengi Gwala. His legs were cut off with a saw (Courtesy)

Thankfully, the suspects missed a main artery and surgeons are confident they can save the leg.

Gwala represented South Africa at international competitions in the United States in 2015 and in the Netherlands in 2017.

Blunt blade

According to Dennis Jackson, director of the elite athlete program for KwaZulu-Natal province, other athletes expressed concern over the attack as they routinely get up early in the morning when it still dark outside and few people are on the roads.

So far, police have no idea as to why Gwala was targeted.

Triathlete Henri Schoeman wrote on social media: “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?”