A Strand resident died in hospital following an alleged stabbing incident in the early hours of Sunday (29 March).

Adlai Meyer was apparently walking home down Van Rheede Street in Weltevreden when he was approached by two unknown attackers. The men allegedly searched the 60-year-old victim before stabbing him multiple times.

A wounded Meyer was discovered by a community member. He was transported to hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries at 02:02 on Monday 31 March.

Strand police could not confirm the incident and said no case had been opened.

The attack came just hours after Meyer’s family had celebrated a marriage.

Most had retired for the night when the tragedy occurred.

The family was alerted to the tragedy by a neighbour in Hammond Street, where they reside.

Wade Hendricks, Meyer’s nephew who responded to the incident related: “He informed me that my uncle lay in the next road and he had been stabbed.”

Hendricks immediately rushed to the scene with a friend where he found his wounded uncle. “I said to him, ‘Adlai, just relax, stop trying to get up and you’ll be fine’.”

It was only then that Hendricks realised the severity of his uncle’s injuries, as depicted in a graphic cellphone video. Meyer was rushed to a nearby hospital before being transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for emergency surgery.

“Because of his age, small build and delicate state, he didn’t make it,” Hendricks said.

The incident has devastated the family, especially Meyer’s sister and elderly mother. “When I saw him, I knew he may not survive,” Hendricks said, describing the scene as harrowing and traumatic.

Saarah Meyer, the deceased’s niece and goddaughter, described him as a second father and protector. “He was so funny and could light up any room he entered.”

She recalled his fighting spirit in overcoming difficult circumstances and living with mental-health conditions.

Meyer’s legacy lives on through his tutelage and passion for music, which eventually inspired Saarah’s musical career.

The family are arranging Meyer’s funeral service. However, the details could not be confirmed at the time of going to print.