A THOROUGH investigation - also of a possible link to the Marikana commission of inquiry - has been called for after Advocate Dali Mpofu was stabbed.
Mpofu, 51, a prominent Eastern Cape advocate representing miners at the Marikana commission, was attacked and stabbed at least three times on East London's Eastern Beach yesterday.
He was rushed to the St Dominic's Hospital, where he was kept overnight. He is said to be in a "serious but stable condition".
A witness said he appeared to have been stabbed up to six times in the back, chest and leg.
A reporter of Sowetan's sister newspaper Daily Dispatch saw him talking to a policeman in the hospital's intensive care unit last night. He appeared jovial and comfortable.
Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills confirmed that Mpofu was attacked and robbed of personal belongings about 3pm at a spot notorious for its high crime rates and violent attacks on beachgoers.
Lifeguard Simpiwe Felani said Mpofu must have staggered about 500m along the beach westwards towards the Eastern Beach lifeguard shack, where he and fellow lifeguards applied first aid treatment.
Felani said Mpofu was weak, woozy, bleeding and wearing only his underpants and a T-shirt.
"He told us two guys came at him to mug him, but he fought back and that's when he got stabbed," Felani said.
Mpofu, a former CEO of the SABC, is from East London and has a home close to King William's Town where a friend said he was taking a break from the commission hearings in Rustenburg.
Dumisa Ntsebeza, who works with Mpofu on behalf of miners and their families, said he was shocked to hear about the attack.
"Police will have to investigate thoroughly whether this was just a random incident or whether there is much more than meets the eye."
Attorney Muzi Msimang, one of Mpofu's Marikana commission team, said Mpofu's stabbing would add to the team's woes while they were already battling to raise funds to defend their clients.
"If he doesn't recover in time we will be directing correspondence to the commission to say we can't go on," said Msimang.
The commission resumes its work on Tuesday. - Mike Loewe, Msindisi Fengu, Michelle Solomon, Olebogeng Molatlhwa and Chandre Prince
Call to probe stabbing of Mpofu
A THOROUGH investigation - also of a possible link to the Marikana commission of inquiry - has been called for after Advocate Dali Mpofu was stabbed.
Mpofu, 51, a prominent Eastern Cape advocate representing miners at the Marikana commission, was attacked and stabbed at least three times on East London's Eastern Beach yesterday.
He was rushed to the St Dominic's Hospital, where he was kept overnight. He is said to be in a "serious but stable condition".
A witness said he appeared to have been stabbed up to six times in the back, chest and leg.
A reporter of Sowetan's sister newspaper Daily Dispatch saw him talking to a policeman in the hospital's intensive care unit last night. He appeared jovial and comfortable.
Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills confirmed that Mpofu was attacked and robbed of personal belongings about 3pm at a spot notorious for its high crime rates and violent attacks on beachgoers.
Lifeguard Simpiwe Felani said Mpofu must have staggered about 500m along the beach westwards towards the Eastern Beach lifeguard shack, where he and fellow lifeguards applied first aid treatment.
Felani said Mpofu was weak, woozy, bleeding and wearing only his underpants and a T-shirt.
"He told us two guys came at him to mug him, but he fought back and that's when he got stabbed," Felani said.
Mpofu, a former CEO of the SABC, is from East London and has a home close to King William's Town where a friend said he was taking a break from the commission hearings in Rustenburg.
Dumisa Ntsebeza, who works with Mpofu on behalf of miners and their families, said he was shocked to hear about the attack.
"Police will have to investigate thoroughly whether this was just a random incident or whether there is much more than meets the eye."
Attorney Muzi Msimang, one of Mpofu's Marikana commission team, said Mpofu's stabbing would add to the team's woes while they were already battling to raise funds to defend their clients.
"If he doesn't recover in time we will be directing correspondence to the commission to say we can't go on," said Msimang.
The commission resumes its work on Tuesday. - Mike Loewe, Msindisi Fengu, Michelle Solomon, Olebogeng Molatlhwa and Chandre Prince
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