Two in jail for assault on farm worker

Warning: Graphic content

UNIONDALE NEWS - A father and son from Uniondale aged 54 and 24 appeared in the Uniondale Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 24 January on a charge of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

This follows after an incident on Tuesday 23 January where a farm worker, Johan Plaatjies (38), was allegedly assaulted by both men in a shed on the fruit farm where he works.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies said it is alleged that the three men had an argument before the assault. "The victim sustained injuries to the head and was taken to hospital for medical care," he said.

"The case was postponed for formal bail application on Wednesday 31 January. They were remanded in custody."

According to Plaatjies, the argument was about unwillingness to work over weekends.

"We had a deal that they would give us our rent money back if we work a weekend. They did not keep to their part of the bargain, and I refused to work the weekend," said Plaatjies.

"We were a group of workers in the shed, so the incident was witnessed. The son started punching me, whereafter his dad jumped me from behind. The son kept punching my face and the dad head banged me on the forehead."

The spot in the shed where Johan Plaatjies was allegedly beaten.Plaatjies has been discharged from hospital earlier today, 25 January, but will have to undergo an eye operation in Cape Town at Groote Schuur. "They broke one of the bones under my eye," said Plaatjies.