MBOMBELA -The 38-year-old Zander Kotze has been in a coma since the incident. Police spokesman Capt Zandile Gwaqa confirmed that Van Rooyen appeared in the Nelspruit District Court. He was granted bail of R2 500.
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According to a reliable source close to the investigation, CCTV footage in the club seemed to show that an argument broke out between Kotze and Stephen Earle, a local attorney, over Mienkie, the wife of Zander. The footage also showed that Mienkie allegedly slapped Van Rooyen.
“Zander and Earle and their friends went outside to the parking area where the argument allegedly continued. What is claimed to have happened was Zander was fighting with Earle and Van Rooyen intervened to help him. Zander apparently lunged for Van Rooyen, who then allegedly punched him back in an alleged defense. Zander fell down and hit his head.”
The police confirmed that Earle had opened an attempted murder case against Zander and Van Rooyen had opened an assault case against Mienkie.
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Mienkie declined to comment and referred Lowvelder to her attorney, Pietman Lourens, who also declined to comment.
Mediclinic Nelspruit spokesman, Robyn Baard said Zander’s condition had not changed and that he was still in a critical but stable condition. Van Rooyen is set to appear in court again on August 8.
