A TAVERN boss from Phola in Masoyi, outside White River, Mpumalanga, appeared in court on Thursday.
He was charged with the attempted murder of a former employee. His former worker, Carlos Ntimba (20), said he was kidnapped after being promised a new job.
Carlos told the SunTeam from his hospital bed that on 28 February he received a call from a person claiming to have found him a new job in Emalahleni.
“The caller even sent R130 to Shoprite for travel costs. It was collected by my wife,” he said.
“When I arrived in Nelspruit at about 6pm, the caller told me he could no longer come to pick me up as it was late.
“He asked me to go KaNyamazane and said his friends would take me to him the next morning. I believed him.”
But that never happened. Instead, as he stood waiting on the street, he said he was grabbed by three men and bundled into a blue Toyota Corolla driven by his former boss!
“The four men tied up my hands and legs with rope.
“They started assaulting me with a giant hammer and punching me with their fists.
“They accused me of stealing liquor from my boss’ tavern. They continued assaulting me and poured acid on me until I passed out,” said Carlos.
Police spokeswoman Captain Jabu Ndubane said: “A male victim was hospitalised after being found by police dumped in the bushes with severe injuries to the upper body.
“A businessman was arrested and appeared briefly in the Nelspruit Regional Court, charged with attempted murder.”
