Gambling patron’s arm broken in alleged assault by bouncers

The police and Tshwane metro police finally closed down an alleged illegal drinking hall called Cardy’s in Eersterust after a woman claimed she was viciously attacked by two bouncers and then allegedly robbed of R22 800 she won at one of the gambling machines inside the establishment.

The police also confiscated all the gambling machines which were in the venue that apparently belongs to Ricardo Winkler. All the alcohol was also confiscated from the venue.

The news of this action by the law enforcement agencies was welcomed by the community, but especially by the Catholic Church, which is situated next door to the venue.

A member of the church, who asked not to be named, said the Catholic priest spent many sleepless nights over the years because of the loud music at Cardy’s. There are also two nuns living on the church premises.

“This has been a problem for years so when we found out they were closing the place, we were very happy,” the person said. In the incident that led to the shutdown, Rachel Petersen, 44, was allegedly beaten up and had her right arm broken.

Petersen had just won R22 800 after spending hours at a gambling machine when a bouncer switched off the machine. She was told there was a problem with the machine that would be sorted out.

After waiting for hours, two of the bouncers told her to leave and that she was not welcome there anymore. Petersen said she was not leaving without her money.

“One bouncer took a Taser and used it on my upper leg. I fell to the ground and the second bouncer took a chair and was swinging for my head. I lifted my right arm to try and block the blow and he shattered my arm. He kept on hitting me and the first bouncer joined in,” said Petersen.

The bouncers were apparently arrested and charged but released because the officer who registered the case allegedly did not follow correct procedure. – virginiak@citizen.co.za