Man stabbed and robbed on way to work, passerby indifference sparks concern

A Northdale man, Rollin Ramdeen, was attacked and stabbed on his way to work along Khan Road, near Aryan Hall, in a brazen robbery that left him with injuries and a cellphone stolen. Ramdeen recounted that he put up a fight but was stabbed on his right wrist, narrowly missing a major vein, and injured his face near his temple. He also sustained bruises to his hands and knees, as well as lower back pain.

Ramdeen described the harrowing experience, saying that as he struggled with his attacker, several vehicles drove past, with not one person stopping to assist. The struggle was particularly frightening as the two men were rolling on the road while vehicles continued passing. Ramdeen expressed gratitude to a Mi7 security officer who stopped after the incident, drove around looking for the alleged attacker, and returned to inform him that the suspect had apparently fled towards a nearby informal settlement.

The officer also assisted Ramdeen in getting an ambulance. Ramdeen's sister-in-law, Tracy Gharib, questioned the lack of compassion shown by passing motorists, saying several vehicles drove past as her brother-in-law lay bleeding on the road, despite his calls for help. Gharib expressed concern about the kind of society people were living in, where such indifference was displayed.

Gharib acknowledged that people might be reluctant to intervene because they feared putting their own lives in danger, but suggested that there were other ways to assist without physically confronting an attacker. She proposed that simply stopping a car and shouting to scare away the perpetrator would not put one's life in danger. Ramdeen had not yet opened a case with the police at the time of speaking to The Witness.

The incident has sparked concerns about bystander apathy, with many questioning why no one stopped to help Ramdeen as he lay bleeding on the road. Gharib wondered whether the motorists who had passed the scene had considered the possibility that Ramdeen could have died before receiving assistance. The incident occurred on November 14, 2026, in Pietermaritzburg, according to The Witness.

Ramdeen's ordeal has highlighted the need for greater community awareness and engagement. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of looking out for one another, especially in times of need.

The police are yet to comment on the incident, and Ramdeen's case has not been officially opened.

Key points

• A Northdale man was stabbed and robbed while on his way to work, with several vehicles passing by as he lay bleeding on the road.
• The incident has sparked concerns about bystander apathy, with many questioning why no one stopped to help the victim.
• The police are yet to comment on the incident, and the case has not been officially opened.