Poet Evelyn Cresswell was viciously assaulted in Mtunzini in Zululand on Monday night when she was attacked and stabbed in her hands and arms. She was getting out of her car when a young man assaulted her and stole her handbag. She underwent surgery in the Empangeni Garden clinic but has now been discharged.

Dr Uschi Wessels, chief medical officer at the Empangeni Provincial Hospital was also attacked the same evening. Police believe the same man may have been involved in both incidents.