Man grabbed a 21-year-old in a Trompsburg tavern, chased her back inside and stabbed her in the chest

A 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a 21-year-old woman was stabbed in the chest at a tavern in Phalisoview, Trompsburg, in the Free State.

Police say the woman, Ms Oerson, was with her aunt at a well-known tavern on Saturday, 31 October, when the man grabbed her, assaulted her with his fists and kicked her.

She tried to run away to get help. According to the police account, the man chased her from the street back into the tavern and stabbed her in the chest with a knife.

She received medical treatment before reporting the matter to the police.

The suspect, who police say lives at Mandela Square in Trompsburg, was arrested and charged with attempted murder. He is expected to appear before the Trompsburg Magistrate’s Court soon.

Police say the investigation into the motive behind the stabbing is still under way.