The state has postponed the criminal case against Phemelo Mochoari (22) to 15 July. This is after a brazen attack on a female student teacher during what appears to be a road rage incident. He briefly appeared in the Batho Court in Bloemfontein on Friday 12 June and was released on a warning with the condition to reappear in court as scheduled. The victim, Masego Mogorosi (21) was also present in the court.

Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, spokesperson for the Free State police, said the suspect was arrested after a video clip showing a physical altercation went viral on various social media platforms. In it the suspect was seen assaulting the victim while others attempted intervening.

In the video, the victim can be seen and heard having a heated verbal confrontation with two adults, a man and a woman driving a VW vehicle. As tempers flared, the confrontation turned physical with the young man seen attacking the victim, as captured in the footage.

Kareli said the suspect faces a preliminary charge of common assault following the attack yesterday -Wednesday. The 21-year-old woman is a student teacher at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein campus and is currently attached to Lekhulong Secondary School in Rocklands as part of her experiential teaching programme.

“We strongly plead for calm and space to allow the police investigation to take its natural course. The SAPS views all acts of violence, particularly against the vulnerable, in a serious light and is committed to ensuring that justice is served,” said Kareli. A case was opened at the Kagisanong police station for further investigation.

The victim described the traumatic attack in a Facebook post. According to the post, while walking with colleagues to get lunch from an outlet near the school, they were confronted by a driver who allegedly failed to indicate and was driving dangerously close to the pavement.

“Concerned about our safety, we attempted to address the matter with the driver. However, instead of acknowledging our concerns, he allegedly became aggressive and threatened me,” the victim wrote. She appealed to law enforcement authorities and the university to ensure that the matter is properly investigated, and that justice is served.