A 53-year-old man is due to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with the alleged attempted murder of a 17-year-old. This follows an alleged prank involving acid, at a butchery in Woodlands.

According to Western Cape police, the incident occurred on Sunday, 11 May. It is alleged that the teenager was tricked into drinking a substance from a soft drink bottle.

“The victim was pranked into drinking a liquid from a cool drink bottle which contained acid,” said Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk.

The boy reportedly experienced severe stomach cramps and vomiting shortly after ingesting the liquid and was rushed to a medical facility for treatment.

The incident was reported to the authorities by a family member the following day.

As part of the investigation, the butchery was temporarily closed, while Lentegeur police interviewed witnesses.

Police arrested the suspect on Tuesday. Spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk noted that investigations are ongoing.

Byron De Villiers of the Lentegeur Community Policing Forum said that both the victim and the suspect were employees at the butcher – which has since reopened.

He said the incident caused tension in the Woodlands community, but noted that the community ultimately welcomed the reopening, as it provides jobs and a valued service for residents.

“From the community’s side, there was a lot of uneasiness and tension. [But] they understand that it’s not the butcher or the owners of the butcher, but an individual,” explained De Villiers.

Meanwhile, De Villiers noted that the teen is doing much better since the incident.

“The boy was in intensive care. He is recovering and doing well,” said De Villiers.

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