Titanium Securitas Medical Response Team at the scene where a 2-year-old boy was allegedly stabbed by his father. Picture: Titanium Securitas
Cape Town - Police have arrested a Cape Town father after he allegedly stabbed his 2-year-old son before turning the knife on himself at a play park in Durbanville on Saturday.
The incident took place at Ipic Play in Durbanville just after 11am, where it is understood the father, who was at the venue with his child and the child's mother, apparently stabbed the infant in the neck and later attempted to take his own life.
Titanium Securitas Medical response team took to their Facebook page to defuse rumours on social media after they were the first responders to the critical situation.
They said via their public statement that their team had been approached to treat the toddler while standing off at the Engen petrol station in Durbanville.
“Today (Saturday), at approximately 11:40am, Titanium Securitas Medical response team was standing off at Engen in Durbanville to get refreshments,” they said.
“While sitting next to their vehicles enjoying their refreshments, another vehicle came speeding in and stopped next to the ambulance.
“The medical crew immediately noticed something was wrong.
“As they approached the vehicle, they noticed a mother was covered in blood holding her lifeless child, who had life-threatening stab wounds to the neck.
“The Titanium Medical team immediately took the child and loaded him in the ambulance in an attempt to stabilise him, after which he was transported to Durbanville Medi Clinic Hospital for further care.”
During the same time, the team became aware of a second incident at the scene, and was alerted that the father was also injured and was assisted by the police before being taken into custody.
“Upon arrival at the hospital, Titanium Medical Response received further information regarding the father, who is also in a critical condition still at the scene of the crime,” they explained.
“The Titanium Medical Teams immediately made their way to the location.
“Upon arrival, they were informed that the father was still in the play park baby room area with a large knife.
“After a lengthy standoff and the assistance of the South African Police, the father was detained and treated on scene.
“Once stabilised, the father was taken in a critical condition to another medical facility under police guard to be further treated.
“According to information on the scene, the father stabbed his own young child before turning the knife on himself.
“This is such a tragic event, and we wish the child a speedy recovery.
“We would like to thank the medical teams for their efforts as well as Durbanville Medi Clinic and the Durbanville South African Police Service.”
Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said: “The circumstances surrounding this incident are now still under investigation. Durbanville Police responded to a complaint on January 25, 2025. Upon arrival at the crime scene at a local shopping centre, they found a male who was beyond control and who sustained self-inflicted injuries with a knife, threatening to stab the police members. The members took action and disarmed the 35-year-old man. He was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Reports suggested that a toddler who also sustained injuries was also transported to a hospital for medical treatment. We appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident to please call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”
Via their Facebook page, Ipic Play had alerted customers that their venue was closed.
They said they were dealing with an active police scene and could not divulge more and assured customers that their venue was safe for families to attend following the incident.
“At the moment, we can only say that this is an ongoing SAPS investigation, and we ask for your respect and consideration with this sensitive situation,” they said.
“This is an isolated and private family matter that took place in an isolated area at Ipic Play. No other visitors were at risk.
“After we receive information from the investigators and the family, we will release a formal statement on Monday.”
Related Topics: