Cape Argus News

Victim of viral incident identified as adult male, police investigation continues

Genevieve Serra|Published

The scene where the victim was seen being dumped along Baden Powell.

Image: Supplied

Police have confirmed that following a social media post which went viral of claims that a young child had been flung out of a vehicle along Baden Powell Road, they have traced the victim, a man in his thirties at a local hospital.

An image of the victim dressed in red-coloured clothing, seen lying on the side of the road. Further claims were that the incident took place along Baden Powell, towards Rocklands. But police soon confirmed that the incident took place in Harare and that the victim was not a child.

Police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk explained: "Kindly be advised that Harare police followed up on all information in a bid to make a breakthrough in this case," he explained.

"The allegation was that on Monday, December 22 at the corner of Baden Powell and Swartklip Roads a child was allegedly thrown out of a moving Suzuki Swift vehicle.

"This information was followed up and EMS were involved who transported the victim, (not a child as indicated by the media enquiries) and members found the victim an adult male in his 30s at a nearby hospital. "He sustained head injuries, and is currently unconscious. An attempted murder case was registered for investigation.

"We make an appeal to the public who have any information that can assist with the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously."

A voice note of a woman also went viral, who said she had been travelling to Stellenbosch, when she witnessed occupants in a Suzuki Swift in the vicinity of Rocklands, Baden Powell, picking up the victim and then dumping him. She said she feared that he may have been stabbed.

Local Community Policing Forum (CPF) confirmed that the victim had been rushed to hospital by occupants of a private vehicle.

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