South African triathlete Mhlengi Gwala in hospital after attack with saw

The incident reportedly took place close to the University of KwaZulu-Natal

South African long distance runner Mhlengi Gwala has supposedly been assaulted while preparing by three men endeavoring to remove his legs with a saw.

Gwala's preparation accomplice Sandile Shange told the BBC the 26-year-old is steady in healing facility and his wounds are not perilous.

The assault allegedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday in Durban while Gwala was on a preparation ride.

The men cut into both of Gwala's legs previously he could get away.

"He thought they were coming to rob him, stopped and gave them his phone but they didn't want his phone, didn't want his watch or bicycle," Shange said.

"They dragged him to the side of the road to some bushes, took a saw and started cutting his legs.

"They kept on cutting and when they got to the bone, because the saw was not that sharp, the saw got stuck. When they saw it was getting stuck they started on the other leg."

South African Olympic marathon bronze medallist Henri Schoeman called the occurrence "sickening" on Twitter.

Gwala was expected to contend in the South African national titles this month.

"When he addressed specialists they said they will have the capacity to spare his leg and he will have the capacity to walk and run again yet it is a long stroll to recuperation," Shange said.