Man rewarded by residents after getting stabbed while saving them from armed robbers

- Residents of a town in South Africa, have rewarded a brave car guard who stopped a car theft but got stabbed five times in the process

- They contributed funds for him to buy groceries for his family

- The car guard recovered from his injuries and is back at work

Residents of the South African town of Amanzimtoti in KwaZulu-Natal province have rewarded a brace car guard who foiled a car theft but got stabbed five times in the process.

Siya Dlamini displaying some of the groceries he bought after residents contributed funds to help him

Siya Dlamini, 27, chased off a gang of car thieves about three weeks ago, the thieves however returned later in the same night and stabbed him five times in the arms, back and neck. Both incidents were captured on CCTV.

Siya has since recovered from his injuries and has returned to work. Residents hailed his bravery and gathered together to raise funds as a token of appreciation.

Siya shows one of the stab wounds

George Snodey, who first posted the appeal on a local neighborhood Facebook page, said he had raised more than R1,000 (N24,000) for Siya.

In an update to the post, George said: "Took the car guard‚ who was viciously stabbed‚ shopping today as he wanted to take some groceries and special things to his two kids and their mother. Thanks to everyone who did donate‚ as you can see by his smile that it was much appreciated."

Siya also thanked the residents for their contributions and gesture, noting that they boosted his daily income, mainly made up of tips from drivers, from guarding cars.