Chainsaw-wielding assailants attempted to hack off a top South African triathlete's legs while he was on a training session.
Police described the unprovoked attack on Mhlengi Gwala, 26, as a case of attempted murder.
He is recovering in hospital following the attack in the coastal city of Durban in the early hours of Tuesday.
"The complainant alleged that on March 6, 2018 at about 03:20 in the morning whilst cycling in Rick Turner Road, Umbilo, he was dragged by three unknown men into a bush," said police spokeswomen Captain Nqobile Gwala.
"One was armed with a firearm and they attempted to cut off his legs with a chainsaw. The suspects fled the scene when they noticed someone was coming and the victim was assisted by security guards in the vicinity. A case of attempted murder was opened at Umbilo police station for investigation."
Gwala competed at the 2017 International World Triathlon Grand Final in Rotterdam in September, where he placed 45th.
Sandile Shange, a training partner of the triathlete, told South Africa’s local media that Gwala was shaken and battling to make sense of the incident.
"The doctors say they will save his leg, but it will be a long road to recovery. He will be able to walk and run again but it will take some time," Shange said.
"They took the chainsaw, which they were not using electrically, but manually. They were cutting one foot, he was fighting and screaming, and when they got to the bone they got stuck. They tried the other leg."
Shange added that Gwala was at a loss as to the motive of his attackers. "We are a little bit confused, we don't know who is behind everything."
Meanwhile, a crowdfunding initiative was set up for the athlete. On the Backabuddy site, fans and the general public were asked to donate towards Gwala's medical costs and new equipment. At first, the amount was set at a humble R50,000 (Dh15,000), but that has far exceeded the initial target, now sitting at Dh100,000.
Investigations into the attach are still ongoing.
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
