A disturbing incident in Cape Town’s coastal suburb of Sea Point has raised community concerns after a Muslim woman was attacked near Saunders Rock on Saturday afternoon. Law enforcement authorities have confirmed the arrest of a suspect, while the investigation into the motive behind the assault is still underway.
The victim, who has not been named publicly, was allegedly stabbed in the arm with a pair of scissors after being questioned about her faith. The attacker is reported to have approached her while she was walking near the beachfront.
“The guy asked if she [was] Muslim, she was wearing a scarf, and then left, then came back and stabbed her in [her] arm with scissors,”
wrote her sister-in-law, Feriel Sonday, in a widely circulated Facebook post.
According to Sonday, the woman endured significant pain and was later able to make a formal statement at both the police station and the hospital. Her message included a heartfelt call for public awareness and caution.
“She made a statement at the police and the hospital [yesterday] with so much pain in [her] arm. Please be alert, ladies… Alhamdulillah, police caught the so-called beggar…”
The suspect, described in social media posts as a “dark-skinned, unstable bergie looking man”, was detained shortly after the attack. It is understood that he allegedly initiated the interaction by questioning the woman’s religious identity before leaving and returning to carry out the assault.
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk confirmed the arrest and the nature of the charges laid against the suspect.
“Be advised that a 28-year-old male was arrested for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm by members of Law Enforcement and Metro Police,”
he stated.
He further explained that the investigation is being handled by the Sea Point detectives.
“Sea Point detectives are currently busy with an investigation on the circumstances and motive of this incident.”
While authorities have not officially linked the assault to religious intolerance, speculation about a possible hate crime has surfaced prominently on social media. Various community members and advocacy groups have voiced concern that the victim may have been targeted for her visible expression of faith.
Online communities such as Fight Against Crime SA and well-known Cape Town activist Moeshfieka Botha have weighed in, suggesting that the incident appears to carry hallmarks of a religiously motivated act. The claim that the attacker asked about the victim’s religion before inflicting harm has added gravity to the speculation.
Questions are now being raised about safety in public areas and the vulnerability of visibly religious individuals. For many, the attack has highlighted fears that extend beyond random street violence, touching on issues of identity and targeted aggression.
As the investigation continues, members of the public are being urged to remain vigilant, particularly in public spaces. While Cape Town is no stranger to sporadic incidents of street-level violence, the implications of a potential hate crime add a layer of seriousness that authorities will need to address with care and thoroughness.
Law enforcement has yet to provide an estimated timeline for concluding the investigation, but statements from police suggest that efforts are being made to determine a clear motive.
