The Herald is in possession of CCTV footage showing how the assault took place.
According to an anonymous employee of Villa Luso, Bezuidenhout and his girlfriend had an altercation at the restaurant, which resulted in her leaving the premises.
He followed her with a glass of alcohol still in his hand. Outside Villa Luso’s front door, he was approached by Malepe who told him he wasn’t allowed to leave the premises with a glass.
According to Malepe, Bezuidenhout then swore at him and used a racially derogatory term.
Bezuidenhout ignored him and started walking towards his vehicle, while Malepe attempted to follow him.
At this point, as can be seen from the footage, Bezuidenhout swung around, poured the contents of the glass out on Tilo Malepe’s face and punched him several times.
The glass broke against Malepe’s face and he was seriously injured.
Villa Luso’s management contacted paramedics and an ambulance only arrived an alleged 30 minutes later.
Malepe was transported to Maphuta, L Malatji Hospital in Namakgale, where a doctor, after inspecting his serious wounds, transferred him to Polokwane.
At the hospital in Polokwane it was found that Malepe was suffering from a cracked jaw and two loose teeth, as well as lacerations to his face.
Johan Bezuidenhout appeared in the Phalaborwa court today (Wednesday), but Magistrate Thulile Mthetwa postponed the matter (a case of grievous bodily harm) to August 2 so that the accused’s council can receive all relevant documentation, relating to the case, from the state prosecutor. Johannes Marthinus Bezuidenhout’s bail was extended.
Footage of the attack:
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