Bouncers accused of brutal assault

THREE young men, between the ages of 19 and 20 years, were allegedly beaten and sexually assaulted by a group of bouncers at a city nightclub in Phakamile Mabija Street in Kimberley.

The men were allegedly undressed and assaulted for about an hour with sharp objects, poles, hockey sticks and batons, while they were also tortured and humiliated.

A rape charge was also laid after a wooden broomstick handle was apparently used to sodomise one of the complainants.

One of the men was reported to have lost consciousness after he was repeatedly slammed onto the cement floor, while water was thrown over him in order to “wake him up”, outside the nightclub.

The bouncers also allegedly trampled on the throat of one of the complainants.

Another complainant was apparently thrown into a trash can containing empty bottles of alcohol, where he was left with a scar across his face.

The men were finally released at about 5.40am on Sunday morning and were forced to walk home naked as all their belongings, including their clothes, were stolen.

The three men had frequented the nightclub on the Saturday night and walked to the garage for some refreshments when a group of men apparently forced them into their vehicles and transported them back to the nightclub.

Eyewitnesses found it strange that no one inside the club had heard the men screaming for help.

“There was dried blood on their noses, while their faces and bodies were badly bruised and swollen. The one complainant’s eye was swollen shut from the assault. He could have easily lost his sight. The young men are in a lot of pain and are extremely traumatised. The youngest complainant is still attending school and was not able to write his exams.

“They and their families are fearing for their lives. They are having difficulty dealing with what happened to them.”

The nightclub owner indicated that he was out of town but had been informed about an incident that had taken place over the weekend.

Police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, confirmed that the Kimberley police are investigating a case relating to assault GBH.

“A suspect has been arrested,” said Tawana.

He added that the police were also investigating a case of rape after a 20-year-old man was allegedly raped on the weekend.

“The suspect was arrested and appeared before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court today (yesterday).

“The investigation continues.” Tawana indicated that he would not be able to confirm the other cases, unless case numbers were provided.