Two arrested after viral video shows Oudtshoorn child assault
Criminal case opened after alleged assault against child.
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Police have arrested two people - a man and a woman - in connection with the assault of a child in Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape.
The assault, which took place on Friday, on the corner of Van der Riet Street and Kruid Street, was captured on camera and widely shared on social media, sparking outrage.
Police confirmed that an assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm case has been registered for investigation.
Western Cape police Sergeant Wesley Twigg said a 75-year-old male and a 52-year-old female were arrested on Sunday and are expected to appear in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate's Court on Monday.
The Secretary General of the People’s Prosperity Movement (PPM), Chad Louw, urged the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course.
"Regardless of what the children involved may or may not have done, under no circumstances may violence be used. If there was any wrong action, there are legal and proper processes to address it," he said.
He urged the public not to racialise the matter. "This case is not about race. Please do not try to send it in that direction. This is about a serious incident where violence was used, and it should be handled fairly and legally."
He added that the matter had escalated the issue to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and engaged with police leadership.
"I want to make it clear: I am not going to prescribe what the outcome should be.
"The appropriate authorities will follow the necessary processes and handle the case according to the law."
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