Bail decision pending in child assault case

Four adults accused of assaulting three minors in Oudtshoorn will know on Wednesday whether they will be granted bail. Johan Scholtz (75), Gerda Tait (52), James Tait (56) and Wayne Ellis (43) appeared in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court, in the Little Karoo, on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Their bail application, which began on Monday, was again postponed on Tuesday.

In the footage, a woman is seen whipping the children with a plastic pipe while two men appear to stop them from fleeing. It is further alleged that the boys were forced onto the back of a vehicle and shot at with a paintball gun. They sustained injuries, including wounds to their backs.

The court heard that the attack was sparked by a message on a neighbourhood watch group claiming that the three minors had attempted to rob hockey players in the area. However, police confirmed that no such complaint had been officially reported. Hamman told the court that the decision was based on public interest and safety concerns.