The two, 33-year-old Johan Nel and 47-year-old Stephanus van der Westhuizen, face charges of common assault and crimen injuria. Their case has been postponed to the 25th of next month. The third suspect, aged 48, will appear in court tomorrow on a charge of attempted murder. The arrests follows a viral video in which three white men are seen in a scuffle and allegedly manhandling black teenagers following a reported dispute over the use of a swimming pool.
After an additional charge was added, the investigating team worked around the clock to detect the suspects, we can confirm that there are three suspects arrested today, the first two who were arrested are from Bothaville and Brandfort respectively, 33 year, Johan Nel and 47 year old, Jan Stephanus van der Westhuizen.
The two appeared in court on charges of assault common and Crimean Injuria and the matter was postponed to 25 January 2023 while being released on warning. The third suspect 48 year old of Bloemdal in Bloemfontein was arrested just after 12:00 and will be charged with Attempted Murder he will remain in custody, and is expected to appear in Bloemfontein magistrate court on Thursday, 29 December 2022 on the main charge being Attempted Murder.
The Provincial Commissioner commended the investigating team which worked tirelessly to make sure that these suspects are brought to book as soon as possible.
“This matter was regarded as very sensitive, hence we appealed to our team to handle it with urgency it deserved.” Said the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.
