R250000 civil suit tops up ‘go well, go Shell‘ assault case

Neil Oelofse GARDEN ROUTE CORRESPONDENT

A PLETTENBERG Bay man accused of dragging an ANC Youth League member next to his car when he drove away from a petrol station last year has been accused of racism and is being sued for more than R250000

The Ancyl in Bitou called at the weekend for Herman van Zyl to be jailed “for some time” for his alleged attack on petrol pump attendant Mike Ntwanambi, 26. Ntwanambi required hospital treatment for injuries to his feet and legs after the incident at the Shell Ultra City in Plett in October. .

Ancyl spokesman Shaun Lose said: “The behaviour of this white boy indicates that he is still operating in a mentality of seeing and treating blacks as if they are not humans.”

Van Zyl‘s case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was postponed on Friday for trial to April 1 in the Plettenberg Bay magistrate‘s court.

Ntwanambi‘s lawyer, Hardy Mills, said papers were served on Van Zyl last week demanding that he pay R250000 for damages plus costs for medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, psychological trauma and the civil lawsuit.

Police at the time said Van Zyl was attended to by Ntwanambi at about 1am on October 26 and was driving away when the pump attendant called after him to “go well, go Shell”.

Van Zyl allegedly returned, grabbed Ntwanambi by the collar through the window of his car and drove off again, dragging him for 35 metres before letting go.

Staff at the petrol station took down the vehicle‘s registration number. Van Zyl surrendered to the police five days later and was charged.

His lawyer, John Gillespie, said he had not seen the civil papers.

Mills said Van Zyl had five working days to respond.