Durban - A Phoenix barber spoke of how he was throttled and stabbed during a robbery - a crime that would eventually lead police to the body nine-year-old Miguel Louw who at that point had been missing for nine weeks.
The robbery of Ramzan Ali, owner of Ramzan Hair and Beauty salon in Longbury Drive, was what led police into thick bushes alongside Longbury Drive.
Ali told the Daily News on Thursday that he had been seated in his salon waiting for customers to arrive and had been on a WhatsApp video call to his wife in Pakistan when he saw a man standing at the entrance to the salon looking at him.
"He asked me what was the price of a haircut and I replied R30. Within a split-second he lunged at me and grabbed me from behind while I was seated. He put his hand and elbow around my neck and squeezed tight. He left the grip and then stabbed me on the back of my head. I ran out of the salon screaming for help. People saw the men run into the bushes," Ali said.
Police had arrived a few moments later and entered the bushes between Hopecroft and Rietcroft Place. A Police K-9 unit was also called out. Ali said he was rushed to Gandhi Hospital to treat his wounds.
"I felt it was fate. The man had not asked me for money or my cellphone.. he just grabbed me which led to everything else happening," Ali said.
When he got back he heard a body was found in the bushes. The police dog had sniffed out the decomposing body. The body was later identified as that of Miguel Louw of Sydenham who had gone missing on July 17.
Mohamed Ebrahim,43, was arrested for kidnapping Miguel. He was granted bail of R2 500 but is still in prison as he has not posted bail. Ebrahim lived close by to where the body had been found.
Colonel Thembeka Mbele, a KwaZulu Natal police spokesperson, said a case of assault with the purpose to inflict grievous bodily harm was opened at Phoenix police station for investigation.
"It is alleged that on 3 September 2018 at 13:30, a 35-year-old man was at his business premises when he was attacked by two unknown men. One suspect produced a knife, stabbed him and fled the scene. The motive is unknown at this stage," Mbele said.