WHITE RIVER – He was shy before the incident in which part of his nose was ripped from his face, but since the attack on him in November 2013, Mr Brian Barnard (20) finds it difficult to leave home.
Barnard suffered the assault on November 18 while out with friends at the Bahati sports bar. Several eyewitnesses have corroborated his account of the events on the evening. He laid a charge of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm a day after he was released from hospital.
Although no arrests have been made, a man has been charged with the crime. The docket was referred to the director of public prosecution (DOP) a month ago for a decision on whether the accused would be summoned to appear in court. The accused is a prominent figure in local private security circles.
The circumstances surrounding the case demanded a DOP decision, explained Sgt Gerald Sedibe “It is because of the way it happened,” he said.
“The way it happened” as Barnard remembers it, leaves no doubt in his mind as to what needs to happen next. He is angry, the young man admits, and now also suffers from recurring nightmares. He finds it difficult to go out in public as people mock him.
Barnard was in the company of a suspected farm attacker at around 20:00 on the night of the alleged assault. It was assumed by the men from J&M Security and a member of the flying squad that he was an associate of the criminal.
Most of the blows to Barnard’s head were delivered by the butt of an assault rifle, according to eyewitnesses. A semi-conscious Barnard was dragged into the parking lot by the accused and his brother. Barnard recalled that he was recovering his senses while outside when the damaging shot to his face occurred. A large section of his nose was torn off by the weapon used to deliver this final blow. “By the force they used, it felt as if they intended to kill me,” he said.
Barnard also remembers clearly that the only man that offered any help was a black security guard on the scene. “I want to thank him for caring,” he requested of the newspaper. All he knows is that the man’s name is Tom and he works for 509 Security.
Barnard’s mother, Elsabé, is confounded by way in which the case is progressing, stating, “If the perpetrator was a regular member of the public he would have been arrested on the spot.” She worries, the mother confesses, about the reconstructive operations her son still needs. Three operations to his face have succeeded in transplanting skin from his forehead onto his nose, and in reconstructing his sinuses, “but there are complications and he will need more operations,” she says tearfully.
How she is going to afford this once Brian turns 21 in April, she doesn’t know. She will not be able to keep him as a dependant on her medical aid. She disclosed the sad reality of their situation when she admitted “I earn less than R8 000 a month and Brian is in no condition to find work now.”
“I wish he could find peace again, and carry on with his life,” she sighs as she glances at her son. He just stares out of the window.
Its sad but true. The company in question does get away with alot. And nothing gets done about it. To be honest it looks like they run the show and not the police. And it would be a mirical if this even fets to court this is if the docet isnt lost.
You know what it is so sad it is my Brother and this words that was written by my mom “I wish he could find peace again, and carry on with his life” it hurts me so because to go thru that is not a joke! God does not sleep He sow what they did to you and they will get what comes to them!!!!Be strong