Broadlands Manor owner Willie van der Westhuizen was arrested after a teenage boy from Sir Lowry’s Pass fell victim to a dog attack on the local farm and was hospitalised in a critical condition.

Van der Westhuizen appeared in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 13 October after charges were brought against him in connection with the near-fatal attack.

While Somerset West police initially said there was no record of the incident, spokesperson Warrant Officer Suzan Jantjies confirmed that the suspect was arrested on Monday 12 October, and a case of attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm is being investigated following the incident and another alleged dog attack some days prior.

Attack unfolds

The latest incident occurred on Wednesday 7 October when 14-year-old Christiano Jansen and a group of friends were allegedly playing on the Broadlands Manor property around 18:00.

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City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service crews from Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station were dispatched following an emergency call at 18:30. The boy’s condition was critical due to severe bite wounds, and he was transported to a nearby medical facility via ambulance just after 19:00.

“It is alleged that the minor was among a group of friends when the [suspect] incited his dogs on the minor and his friends. It is believed that his friends managed to run away but the boy fell and the dogs attacked him. The minor sustained serious injuries and was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for medical assistance,” said Jantjies.

Owner’s account

Van der Westhuizen previously told DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette he was troubled by rumours circulating that he had instigated the attack, and expressed feeling terrible about the incident. “I am truly sorry for what has happened. This is just a very unfortunate incident.”

He claimed he was walking his two young Rottweilers off-leash on the 36 ha property when he spotted five or six boys at the dam about 80 to 100 m away.

The boys allegedly started running, and the dogs chased them, with the male dog pinning one boy down and the female also pouncing before Van der Westhuizen managed to pull both off.

Reached out

He stressed that he left the scene only to take the dogs home and away from the area – not out of any lack of concern.

Van der Westhuizen said he reached out to the boy’s family and implored for him to be moved from Helderberg Hospital to Mediclinic Vergelegen, eventually offering to cover ambulance costs to Tygerberg, praying with his parents before the transfer.

The boy’s mother, Emma Jansen (41), who remains at her son’s bedside, shared that Christiano underwent successful surgery on Friday (9 October), lasting several hours after he sustained bleeding on the brain, facial fractures and wounds to the body. He is recovering well in hospital.

While the family were not initially aware of what had happened, Jansen said the boys recalled playing at the dam and near a waterway before the attack.

The boys confirmed Christiano allegedly fell when the dogs pounced on him.

The case has been postponed to tomorrow (Wednesday 14 October).