Suspects appear in court for assault
A Polokwane resident, Paul Geldenhuys (35) and some friends were seemingly assaulted by a group of men at The Iron Crown Pub & Bistro in Haenertsburg on March 4.
According to Provincial Police Spokesperson Col Ronel Otto, Pieter du Plessis, Johannes Duvenhage and De Wet du Bruin was arrested on March 8 on assault charges.
The current case of assault may change to that of murder following the autopsy report.
Geldenhuys passed away in the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital, possibly from complications of the assault.
He suffered injuries to his face, neck and right side of the body and was taken to hospital several days after the assault.
According to an eyewitness whose identity is being protected, the group of young men who assaulted Geldenhuys was “looking for trouble with patrons at the pub”.
“At some stage, the owner of the pub even asked them to settle their bill and leave.
“We know them well, they are known troublemakers in pub circles,” the person claimed.
The owner of Iron Crown, Linda Halkon, declined to comment on the matter, only saying behaviour such as was witnessed on the evening in question, is not encouraged by the management of Iron Crown.
Col Otto confirmed a case of assault was opened and is being investigated.
The charge will change to that of murder should the autopsy show Geldenhuys died as a result of the injuries sustained in the assault said Otto.
The suspects have however appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court and were released on R3 000 bail each, according to the investigating officer in the case WO Khoza.
The men re-appeared in court on Tuesday and the case was postponed to June 28.
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