Stephanus van der Westhuizen, one of the three white men accused of assaulting two black teenage boys at the Maselspoort Resort in Bloemfontein on Christmas Day, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to common assault.
Alleged racist attack
The alleged racist assault made headlines around South Africa after video footage of the incident went viral. The footage showed the men seemingly trying to prevent the black teenagers from entering the pool area, and then slapping the boys and pushing one of their heads under the water.
The men allegedly told the boys that the swimming pool was reserved for white people.
They are then seen hitting one of the boys and grabbing him by the neck.
One of the men then jumps into the pool with one of the boys and pushes his head under the water.
Van der Westhuizen and Johan Nel were initially released on warnings. The third accused, Jakobus Klaassen – who allegedly attempted to drown one of the teenagers – was released on bail of R20 000.
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On Monday, Free State National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, said Van der Westhuizen (47) pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault. He was sentenced to a fine of R4 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, according to a OFM report.
Phaladi added that Van der Westhuizen had apologised to the two boys and their father.
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The case against Klaassen and Nel was postponed to 3 July 2023.
Attempted murder charge
The trio were initially facing assault charges, but according to police spokesperson in the Free State Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, the charges were upgraded to attempted murder after investigations determined the seriousness of the assault.
The charges were changed after the police’s investigators obtained more statements regarding the alleged racist altercation.
