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An Auckland councillor has hit out against the violent behaviour that is gripping the intersections of South Auckland after two window washers were stabbed last night.
The stabbings allegedly followed a disagreement between the driver of a car and two men who were washingcar windows near the corner of Te Irirangi Drive and Great South Rd, in Manukau.
Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Daniel Newman told the Herald the violent incident should never have happened.
“The person shouldn’t have stabbed the window washer, and the window washer shouldn’t have confronted the driver.
“If everybody had been going about their lawful business, nobody would have got hurt.”
Detectives are investigating a serious assault at the intersection of Cavendish Drive and Te Irirangi Drive in Manukau, which left two people injured. Photo / Hayden Woodward
“I have real concerns about these vagrants who are turning up and trying to wash windows and beg at intersections because they create a safety risk for themselves as well as for the motorists,” Newman said.
“They shouldn’t be there, and the police need to get rid of them.
“Nobody should get out and present a knife and stab anybody at any time for any reason.
“Nobody should have been at that location having a fight.”
Daniel Newman says police need to get rid of window washers at intersections because their presence is a danger to themselves and others. Photo / Michael Craig
He said he has concerns about the wider issue of violent crime in South Auckland.
“I believe that the police are doing a good job to try and tackle that, but there are problems with menacing behaviour at some intersections in South Auckland,” Newman said.
Counties Manukau Crime Squad’s Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie said they received a report of a disorder about 6.10pm yesterday at the busy intersection.
Detectives are investigating a serious assault at the intersection of Cavendish Drive and Te Irirangi Drive in Manukau, which left two people injured. Photo / Hayden Woodward
“Two people sustained stab wounds following a disagreement between the driver of a car and two men who were washing car windows nearby,” Gillespie said.
“The offender is not believed to be known to the victims.”
The alleged offender was set to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
The 31-year-old faces two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Last night, a Herald photographer on the scene said forensic markers had been laid out across about 45m of the carpark, mapping out the scene.
A shopping trolley, drinks, and a blood-soaked piece of clothing were inside the cordoned-off area.
