A 59-year-old man accused of attempted murder after a 14-year-old boy was seriously injured in an alleged Rottweiler attack in Sir Lowry’s Pass has been granted R5 000 bail, despite community opposition outside court, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Willem van der Westhuizen reportedly appeared in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 21 October, where bail was granted following several appearances and postponements. The case has drawn strong reactions from residents, with community members and supporters of the injured teenager gathering outside court to call for accountability.
The matter has been postponed to 10 December 2026 for further investigation. Van der Westhuizen has not been convicted, and the allegations against him remain before the court.
Teenager suffered serious injuries in alleged attack
The case centres on an incident on 7 October, when Christiano Jansen, 14, was reportedly near a dam with a group of friends in the Broadlands Manor area of Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Reportedly, the teenager and his friends encountered Van der Westhuizen and his two Rottweilers. Police allege the dogs were incited to chase the group, with the other boys managing to escape before Christiano fell and was attacked.
Investigating officer Sergeant David Stimelo also told the court that one of the boys allegedly heard Van der Westhuizen instructing the dogs to chase them. The defence has disputed this version of events.
Christiano sustained serious bite wounds, including injuries to his head, face and legs. He was initially taken to Helderberg Hospital before being transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for specialised treatment. He underwent several hours of surgery on 9 October to address bleeding in the brain, facial fractures and other injuries.
According to subsequent reporting, Christiano has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering.
Dog owner gave a different account
Before his arrest, Van der Westhuizen gave a different explanation of how the incident unfolded in an interview with the DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette. He said he had been walking his two young Rottweilers without leads on the property when he spotted five or six boys near the dam, some distance away.
According to his account, the boys started running, prompting the dogs to chase them. He said one dog pinned Christiano down and the second also attacked before he managed to pull them away. Van der Westhuizen maintained that he left the immediate scene to secure the dogs and take them away from the area, rather than because he was unconcerned about the injured teenager.
He also said he had contacted the family and offered assistance with the teenager’s transfer between hospitals. The conflicting accounts remain central to the case. The prosecution’s allegations have not yet been tested to a conclusion in court, and the accused’s version has not been established as fact either.
There has also been disagreement over the precise location of the attack, with community members reportedly claiming it happened on an adjacent property rather than within Broadlands Manor itself.
Community protest and petition preceded bail decision
The bail decision follows mounting concern among residents of Sir Lowry’s Pass. Community members gathered outside the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court during earlier proceedings, carrying placards and chanting in opposition to the accused being released on bail.
Activist Ronel Paulse, supported by the Vroue in Aksie movement, submitted a petition containing 1,200 signatures to the court on Friday, 16 October. The document was accepted. Reacting to the outcome, Paulse acknowledged the community’s disappointment but said the legal process was not over.
‘The case remains ongoing and this is not the end.’
– Ronel Paulse, activist.
The protests reflect residents’ concerns about the seriousness of the teenager’s injuries and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack. However, the court must ultimately determine the case on the evidence presented rather than public pressure.
Separate dog attack also under investigation
The attempted murder charge is linked to the alleged attack on Christiano, but Van der Westhuizen is also facing a separate allegation involving his dogs. A 36-year-old man reportedly opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following an alleged incident involving the same animals on 4 October.
The two matters are being investigated, although the allegations relating to each incident must be considered separately through the legal process.
Questions about the dogs’ whereabouts have also featured in earlier community concerns. Previous reports indicated that the animals had been taken to a kennel following an inspection, but their current status has not been confirmed in the available information.
Case returns to court in December
Van der Westhuizen was arrested on 12 October and made his first court appearance the following day. His bail application was heard over several appearances before the court granted bail of R5 000 on 21 October.
His release does not mean the charges have been withdrawn or that he has been found not guilty. Bail allows an accused person to remain out of custody while criminal proceedings continue, subject to the applicable conditions.
The case is scheduled to return to the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court on 10 December 2026 for further investigation.
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