SECUNDA – Test results confirmed that the acid used in the attack on a jogger in Voortrekker Street on 23 January, was sulphuric acid.
This acid is commonly used in drain cleaner and lead-acid batteries.
Mr Hendrik Nienaber (33) sustained third degree burns to his scalp and right arm when a balaclava-clad cyclist threw acid on him before snatching off Mr Nienaber’s watch.
Mr Nienaber is a big man, but the pain of the burns felled him to the ground.
His scalp was burned through to the bone of his skull.
The acid even melted the material of his jogging clothes into the flesh on his chest and right leg.
He also sustained burns to his face, chest and leg.
Mr Nienaber tried to wash off the acid with water from his water bottle.
He was in severe pain, but managed to make his way back to his home.
His landlord rushed him to Evander Hospital’s casualty ward.
“This is the worst pain I have ever felt,” he said.
That morning was the first day he would have gone back to work after recovering from a car accident.
Mr Nienaber eventually returned to work at a local labour broker last Monday, 4 February.
Things are improving, although the pain is still excruciating.
Mr Nienaber does not think he will need skin graphs.
He cleans the wounds at home with salt water and then dresses them with gauze and ointment.
“I drink a lot of painkillers.
“I believe I am over the worst.
“Now I just need time to heal,” he said.
Mr Nienaber explained that a family friend took samples of the burns and had it analysed.
“The results show that a liquid similar to drain cleaner was used on me. Its main component was sulphuric acid.”
Sulphuric acid not only causes chemical burns, but also secondary thermal burns as a result of dehydration.
This dangerous chemical is capable of corroding skin, paper, metals, and even stone in some cases.
If sulphuric acid makes direct contact with the eyes, it can cause permanent blindness.
There are still no leads at the moment to the identity of the acid attacker, and the only motive at this stage is one of theft.
Mr Nienaber said he does not have any enemies or cannot think of anyone who would want to harm him in this way.
“I believe my attacker saw the watch I had on at the time.
“It was an Aviator for exercise purposes – so it had all sorts of lights coming on when you move.
“Perhaps he saw the watch and thought that it was very valuable.”
Mr Nienaber bought the watch second hand for a mere R250.
He described the masked man as young and agile.
Mr Nienaber opened a case at the Secunda Police Station on Monday.
Capt Bettina Zondo, spokesman for Secunda Police, urged residents to open up cases such as these and not to just report the incident.
“The attack can now be properly investigated,” she said.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/131373/secunda-acid-attack-victim-constant-pain/
