Oupa Chembe to be tried shortly for assault of young man
The case against Oupa Chembe (52) on charges of assault and malicious damage to property was today in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court postponed to 20 July 2022 when a new trial date will be set. The trial was supposed to commence today, but the accused’s defense team argued that the CCTV-footage of the incident had not been disclosed to them by the state. The Private Prosecution Unit act in accordance with a watching brief on behalf of Zander Oosthuizen, the complainant in the matter, who was still a school pupil on the date of the incident.
Chembe allegedly in August 2021 kicked a dent in Oosthuizen’s vehicle and assaulted him. Oosthuizen and two of his friends were still in their school uniform when the unsolicited attack took place in the parking area of the Key West Mall in Krugersdorp. The Private Prosecution Unit got involved in this matter due to concern that there might have been improper interference in the investigation of this matter.
According to Andrew Leask, Chief Investigator at AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, it is disappointing that the trial did not start today. “The matter was already postponed on a previous occasion in March 2022 for the trial to commence today. On this occasion Adv. Gerrie Nel addressed the court because this case has been lagging, and the investigating officer made an undertaking that he would provide all the necessary evidence to the accused’s legal team. Unfortunately, this did not happen,” says Leask.
The matter has been transferred to Adv. Jenna Downs, a prosecutor from the National Prosecuting Authority, and she assured the complainant as well as the Private Prosecution Unit that the necessary procedures would be followed to allow for a speedy trial. “We are confident that Chembe will be prosecuted for the alleged incident shortly. Those who make themselves guilty of such bullying behaviour and thereby break the law, must realise that there are consequences for their actions,” Leask concluded.
