AFTER spending five nights in hospital Dr Johnnie van Tonder was discharged yesterday morning.
His son, Gideon, confirmed his father’s discharge, saying that he will now recuperate from home.
The ear, nose and throat specialist was brutally attacked last Thursday while cycling on a farm east of the capital.
Gideon, also a doctor, earlier said his father went cycling on a farm close to Avis Thursday afternoon at around 17h00.
On his way in one of the main roads on the farm, a well-dressed man approached him and signalled him to stop. The man allegedly demanded his watch and cellphone and then fiercely attacked him with a knife.
“He stabbed him for death,” Gideon van Tonder said adding that his father managed to fight back and escape on his bicycle.
“He realised that he needed to get to people as he was losing a lot of blood. A large vein was punctured.”
En route to the main gate, he passed out twice due to the blood loss. Later, he tied his shirt around his arm in an attempt to minimise the blood loss.
“He lost a large amount of blood and it is a miracle that he made it,” Gideon van Tonder said.
Khomas regional crime investigation coordinator, deputy commissioner Silvanus Nghishidimbwa yesterday afternoon confirmed that the attacker is still at large.
According to him, the police visited Van Tonder in hospital and a criminal case was registered.
Windhoek East constituency councillor Joyce Namuhuja yesterday condemned the attack.
“When enough is enough, no words can adequately convey the feelings of dismay by the inhabitants of a residential area well known for its tranquility,” she said, adding that Van Tonder is a resident of the constituency and is known for his friendly demeanour to people of all races and creeds.
Namuhuja said attacks of that nature not only destroy peace but scare away tourists and investors.
She called on police and other law enforcement agents to have regular patrols, and on residents to strengthen neighbourhood watch systems.
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