An intruder slit the throat of a 56-year-old businessman in Durban's Morningside area and stabbed his girlfriend in the head yesterday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

An intruder slit the throat of a 56-year-old businessman in Durban's Morningside area and stabbed his girlfriend in the head yesterday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said the Johannesburg-born man and his 34-year-old partner were asleep in their flat on Bridge View Avenue when the intruder forced his way in at about 2am.

"A neighbour was awoken by the woman's screams and spotted a man leaving the flat through a window and contacted the police."

Police found the couple lying in a pool of blood.

The man - who owns a business in Richards Bay - was declared dead at the scene while his girlfriend was taken to a local hospital in a critical but stable condition.

"It seemed like nothing was stolen because a laptop and cellphone were found in the flat," Mngomezulu said.

Police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder. No arrests have been made. - Sapa