On Monday 21 December, in Observatory, Capetonians took to the internet to express their disgust around a video in which a teenager knocks an elderly homeless man out cold.
Previous reports stated that the elderly man had died from the incident, but it was later revealed that the man eventually got up and walked away. The Daily Voice stated that the incident reportedly took place outside a building in Lower Main Road, Observatory.
*This video contains violence and foul language. It may offend sensitive viewers.
This homeless man was assaulted in Observatory Cape Town. His condition is unknown. Let’s hope the attacker is arrested. @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/CHzRNXr4Vx
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 21, 2020
A waitress at a nearby restaurant said she heard a thud and when she looked outside, the homeless man was lying on the pavement. “But after a few minutes, he woke up and walked away from the scene,” she told The Daily Voice.
Capt. FC Van Wyk, the provincial police spokesperson told TimesLIVE they were aware of the video. “We have registered an inquiry to investigate this matter. Woodstock police are investigating,” said Van Wyk.
IOL further reports that the young man in the video is believed to be an 18-year-old from Ysterplaat. It is not yet confirmed whether he has been apprehended.
Stoney Steenkamp, the Observatory Improvement District (OBSID) Area Manage told the publication that they too were aware of the footage but did not have any further details. He said that as the organisation did not have any ‘investigating powers’, the case was reported to the police for further investigation.
Captain Van Wyk requested that anyone with information about the incident contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or Woodstock police station.
