Lentegeur, Cape Town – A 17-year-old boy from Woodlands is recovering after allegedly being tricked into drinking acid by a co-worker, prompting a police investigation into attempted murder. The incident has sparked outrage amongst residents, who are rallying to support the victim and his family.
The victim, who had left school to help his single mother financially, was employed at Mitchell's Moslem Butchery in Woodlands, Mitchells Plain. According to reports, the teenager was allegedly tricked by a jealous co-worker into drinking oven cleaner acid from a Sprite bottle. However, upon realising the harmful nature of the contents, he immediately spat it out.
The teen was admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital with internal bleeding and placed on life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). More recently, he has progressed from critical status, offering a glimmer of hope to his loved ones.
Following the incident, the butchery was closed on Monday and Tuesday. Management informed the Daily Voice that they had been advised not to comment at this stage, in order to protect the dignity of the staff member involved and his family.
Police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana confirmed that Lentegeur police station is investigating a case of attempted murder. "It is alleged that the 17-year-old victim was pranked into drinking a liquid from a cool drink bottle which contained acid. He got cramps and vomited where after he was admitted to a medical facility to receive medical treatment. The case was reported by a family member the next day," Manyana stated. She added that the butchery was closed pending further investigation and that no arrest has been made.
National Coloured Congress (NCC) member and community leader Shahiem van Nelson addressed the situation, explaining that a meeting was held on Monday opposite the butchery to calm residents after threats to damage the property. "We calmed the community down because the building had nothing to do with what transpired there. Mitchell’s butchery has been long in the community; they have been serving this community for very long," Van Nelson said.
Van Nelson also highlighted the potential economic impact on the community if the butchery were to be targeted. "We also have community members that are working there and if anything should happen to the butchery itself our people will be sitting without work," he explained.
Addressing rumours circulating on social media, Van Nelson clarified that reports of the manager being on the run were false. "They were asked to take leave and not to come to the butchery until the case has been resolved," he stated.
Lentegeur Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Michael Jacobs confirmed that they have engaged with the local station commander, emphasising the need to review CCTV footage and obtain statements from employees.
In a display of community solidarity, Van Nelson shared that a collection was organised to support the victim's parents with their daily travel expenses to the hospital. "We as a community made a collection for the mother and father to travel everyday to hospital and we really have to thank the community," he said.
The Daily Voice attempted to contact the family for comment but was unable to reach them before the time of publication. The investigation is ongoing, and the community awaits further developments in the case.
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