Update
KNYSNA NEWS - A Knysna prison warder who was attacked by a prisoner over the weekend is recovering at home following "numerous stab wounds".
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie, the prisoner was treated in hospital and discharged.
Michelle Van Dyk, wife of warder Edward Van Dyk, told the Knysna-Plett Herald on Monday 19 February that her husband was at home but "very traumatised" after the previous day's attack.
She said he has been a prison warder for 33 years and relocated to Knysna in 2015 from Port Elizabeth.
The very upset Michelle said it was the second time in her husband's career that a prisoner attacked him.
"This is very upsetting for the whole family. We are finding a psychologist to help him," she said.
Following a report on Facebook on Sunday, shortly after the attack happened, Van Dyk expressed her unhappiness that her husband's wounds had not been correctly reported as "multiple stabbings" because he was in fact, she said, attacked “on the head, face and everywhere”.
'Sharpened instrument' used
Police reported that on Sunday 18 February, at about 14:30, an inmate attacked a prison official at Knysna Correctional Services at about 15:30.
According to Pojie, the prisoner used a sharpened instrument during the attack.
The Public Order Policing (POP) unit was deployed from George to assist prison authorities and order was restored at the prison.
At this stage, it is not known why the warder was attacked.
The police have opened a case of assault and grievous bodily harm, and Pojie said there would be an internal investigation by Correctional Services as well as an investigation by the SAPS detective branch.
"The Knysna detective branch is investigating a case of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm," said Pojie.
"It is alleged the 50-year-old victim, an on-duty prison warder, visited a cell inside the prison when he was grabbed from behind by an inmate.
"The suspect stabbed the warder with a sharp object, sustaining injuries to his face and head. He was taken to hospital for medical treatment, but was discharged later."
This photo was posted on the Knysna-Plett Herald Facebook page, showing prison warder Edward Van Dyk after an inmate allegedly attacked him while he was on duty at Knysna Correctional Services on Sunday 18 February.
Pojie said a full report regarding the extent of the injuries of the victim is not available yet.
"Investigation into this matter is still at an early stage. The suspect is currently serving a prison sentence on an unrelated incident.
"He will remain in custody and will make a court appearance on the said charge, once he had been formally charged," concluded Pojie.
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