Gardener in custody after strangling and robbing woman at Kragga Kamma business

Casual worker strangled, stabbed woman in Kragga Kamma, Port Elizabeth, and fled with cash

Port Elizabeth - A 23-year-old casual worker is expected in court soon after he was swiftly arrested by the Mount RoadSAPS Cluster Trio Task team after he allegedly attacked a 27-year-old woman at a business premises in Kragga Kamma on Monday afternoon.

"It is alleged that on Monday, at about 12:30, the complainant was in the office at a business premises in Kragga Kamma Road when the gardener came in and asked her to inspect the paint brush as he thought that something was wrong with it," described Col Priscilla Naidu.

"As she was looking at it, the gardener allegedly then went behind her and placed a shoe lace around her neck and started to tighten it."

He is alleged to have threatened her with a knife and forced her on the floor.

Casual worker traced and arrested at a squatter camp in Seaview

"The complainant grappled with the suspect, who then stabbed her on her chest. He asked her for the money and she showed him where the money and key to the draw," described Col Naidu.

"He opened the draw and took an undisclosed amount of money from the money box and fled. The woman managed to run next door for help and was taken to hospital for treatment.

"The gardener was a casual worker and is believed to be living at Grogro Squatter camp in Kabega Park, Port Elizabeth."

After following up on several leads since the early hours of Tuesday morning, the task team arrested the suspect about 18:00 on Tuesday evening at a squatter camp in Seaview.

"He is detained on charges of business robbery, attempted rape and attempted murder. He is expected to appear in court soon."

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