Family allegedly attacked by neighbour
A man (46) was arrested for an assault on his neighbours and has appeared in the Lydenburg Magistrate's Court.
The incident happened at around 21:20 on Wednesday February 17 at a townhouse complex.
Two days after the assault, Sinethemba Myeni told Steelburger/Lydenburger News that her children were still afraid and traumatised. Myeni alleged that this particular neighbour has been terrorising her and her children since he and his mother moved in a few months ago. She admitted that they were sometimes loud while playing, but his house is about five unites away from her own. Her direct neighbours have never complained and their children are part of the group that always play together.
At the time of the incident, she said she had been watching television and the children were getting ready for bed.
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“My children are in the local high school and primary school; they have friends of all races. We never thought that a man who looks like one of their friends’ dads, could do such a thing,” she continued.
The suspect allegedly demanded that they stop making so much noise and be quiet. After a verbal argument, the man allegedly started using the k-word and shouted that they were all a bunch of baboons. “He hit me on my head a few times with his fist, just above my left eye. He also hit me with his fist in my ribs, the middle of my stomach and my back. My 15-year-old daughter, Bonga, came to my defence and he hit her straight on the jaw. My little boys of seven and eight came running and yelled ‘Don’t hit mommy!’ But the man proceeded to hit my seven-year-old with a fist on his head and threw my eight-year-old to the ground. He was carrying a gun; I was so afraid he was going to take it out. I fell and blacked out from the pain for a minute or two. Afterwards, he just walked back to his unit.
“I called the security office of the complex and Daniël came to help us immediately. One of my neighbours, Happy Mokwena, is a police officer and she called the station for assistance. I want to thank both of them for helping us and my friends in Lydenburg who are supporting us,” Myeni continued.
The family was taken to Lydenburg Hospital and treated for bruising; they went home the same night. The whole incident was recorded on a phone camera.
Capt Kaizer Moela, spokesperson for the Lydenburg SAPS, confirmed that the suspect appeared in the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday February 18, and was not released on bail. A case of assault to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened against him.
“We condemn violence against woman and children. Misunderstandings and difficulties need to be resolved verbally, not physically. Neighbours should look out for one another and support one another,” Moela said. The case has been postponed to March 23.
