NELSPRUIT – A well-known businessman and former pastor of the African Faith Mission (AFM) Church who apparently assaulted his wife with a packet of bacon, appeared in court again this week.
Mr Tony van Eijk (76) who owns Bushveld and Lakeview Lodge on the Kaapsehoop Road, appeared briefly in the Nelspruit District Court on a charge of assault on Tuesday.
He was alleged to have assaulted her on the side of her face, ear and neck area, with a one kilogram of frozen bacon. This journalist saw bruises on his wife’s arms and the side of her face during his first court appearance.
Police stated the assault took place on Saturday September 17, when there was an apparently an argument between the couple in their kitchen. Van Eijk then allegedly grabbed his wife by the wrists and beat her with the packet of frozen bacon. He was arrested the following day.
However, police confirmed Van Eijk also opened a case of assault against his wife after she laid charges against him.
A source told Lowvelder that the estranged couple are allegedly trying to negotiate a settlement out of court about the incident and ownership of a vehicle.
