Two suspects – a 52-year-old woman and a 75-year-old man – have been arrested following a disturbing child assault incident in Oudtshoorn that has since gone viral across social media platforms, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The arrests follow the circulation of graphic footage online showing a woman allegedly assaulting at least two street children with what appears to be a long stick as they cry out in distress. In the video, she is seen surrounded by a small group of bystanders, two of whom become visibly agitated upon realising that passers-by were recording the incident.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, Oudtshoorn police initially registered ‘an assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm’ following the incident, which took place on the corner of Van der Riet Street and Kruid Street on Friday, 13 February.
Twigg has since confirmed that the charge has been changed to attempted murder.
In a subsequent update, the Oudtshoorn Community Police Forum stated that the charge was escalated ‘because of the seriousness of the allegations’ as the ‘children were [allegedly] shot at with a paintball gun’.
The two suspects are expected to appear in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, 16 February, while the investigation continues.
‘Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously,’ concluded Twigg.
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Picture: Screenshot from video
