A HIGH-RANKING ANC official, Dan Kotze, will soon be prosecuted on two charges of assault, after an attack on a farm last year.
This is the eventual outcome of a farm attack in April, during which Joan and Trevor Ernstzen were attacked by a mob of approximately 50 protesters, after a legal eviction order was executed against a labourer, Johannes de Water.
De Water had been working on Le Fût farm since May 2006, and according to the Ernstzens he had not abided by his employment contract from the beginning.
The Ernstzens then followed the correct legal procedures to end his contract.
But on the day that the sheriff of the court peacefully removed De Water and his family, all hell broke loose on the farm.
Local ANC councillor Dan Kotze (now chairperson of the ANC Boland region), ANC councillor Frans Koopman, as well as Bawsi president Nosey Pieterse, were amongst the violent mob.
Trevor was beaten up so badly during the attack that he sustained brain injuries for which he is still under going medical treatment. Ever since then, he has not been able to return to work.
Joan, a petite woman, was thrown to the ground, beaten and kicked.
The police were eventually called in to disperse the crowd.
After the attack, charges of assault were laid by the various parties, and this was referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for a decision on prosecution.
Last week a decision was made that Kotze will be prosecuted on charges of assault to do grievous bodily harm. There is a good possibility that Pieterse and Koopman will be made to stand trial with him.
A date has yet to be set for the trial.
