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Durban – KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating the attempted murder of a Durban triathlete, who was severely injured after three men used a chainsaw to try to saw off his legs.
Mhlengi Gwala, 26, had been training near the University of KwaZulu-Natal at around 03:15 on Tuesday, when he was attacked.
"A case of attempted murder was opened at Umbilo police station after [he] was approached by three suspects, who dragged him into the bush at Umbilo area. They tried to cut his legs and he was injured," police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said on Wednesday morning.
Zwane said security guards helped Gwala and he was taken to hospital.
Read: Robbers try to cut off SA triathlete's leg with chainsaw
According to his athletic sponsor Sue de la Porte, Gwala tried offering the assailants his cellphone and cash, but they still pinned him down and tried to saw off his leg.
De la Porte said Gwala was at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, where he is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
The young athlete from Ndwedwe competed in two international triathlons.
Triathlete Henri Schoeman broke the news of the attack on his verified Twitter account and pledged his support for Gwala.
