By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Corrie Pretorius has been denied bail for allegedly assaulting and pointing a gun at a 16-year-old.
Pretorius appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s court on Wednesday morning. He faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing of a firearm.
The court found that in the interest of justice, Pretorius does not deserve to be released on bail.
“He has a right to be released on bail if it is in the interest of justice and he is innocent until proven guilty. The court is not ruling on his innocent. This is a bail application, not trial.”
Pretorius’s advocate JJ Venter argued the community is holding the court hostage.
They saying the accused should not be released on bail, even though he is innocent until proven guilty. The state is saying the court must not grant bail because the community will burn the town down.”
The case has been postponed to 6 September 2022.
This comes after Pretorius assaulted a 16-year-old boy during an argument, allegedly over seasoning salt, at Groblersdal Game Shopping Centre on 15 June.
Pretorius reportedly became furious and started assaulting the minor by pushing him outside the store. The incident was captured on video and went viral on social media.
In the video, Pretorius is seen kicking the teen and stomping on his chest before pointing a gun at him.