Toddler, 3, injured in Mitchell's Plain stabbing incident

Mitchell's Plain police are investigating a stabbing incident in which a three-year-old girl was injured on Monday night, December 29.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the incident occurred at around 8:40pm in Guava Street, Tafelsig.

“We can confirm that a 39-year-old-male was arrested and will appear in the Mitchell's Plain Magistrates' Court once he has been charged.”

Sergeant Twigg added that the suspect is facing an assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm case. He said community members became disruptive when the suspect was arrested and threw bricks at the officers. 

“A law enforcement officer was injured during the incident and a public violence case was registered for investigation. No arrest was made yet.”

However, the Mitchell's Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) indicated that the stabbing may have been accidental.

CPF public relations officer, Linda Jones, said they were informed that there were three children playing with a wheelie bin in the street when the incident happened. The victim was inside the bin. 

“This guy came past and he fell over the bin. So he was angry that he now fell. He just took the knife and stabbed the bin. We are not sure if he knew that the child was in the bin.”

Ms Jones emphasised that the CPF does not promote the suspect's action, but believes the incident appeared accidental.

“We don't justify this action. But if he knew there was a child in the bin, I'm sure he would not have done that. If he wanted to hurt the children, he could have hurt the other two children also. But we must learn to let our frustration out somewhere else instead of using weapons.”

Ms Jones also raised concerns about the possible parental negligence in the incident.

“How do you allow a three-year-old to be in a wheelie bin? Because the car could also have come past and knocked the wheelie bin. So it's negligence on the side of the parents as well.