The formal bail application of Broadlands Manor owner Willie van der Westhuizen, who was arrested after his Rottweilers attacked a teenager from Sir Lowry’s Pass, has been postponed again, leaving the accused in custody until his next appearance on Wednesday 21 October.

Van der Westhuizen was arrested on Monday 12 October, five days after the incident on Wednesday 7 October, when 14-year-old Christiano Jansen and a group of friends were allegedly playing near the Broadlands Manor property around 18:00. Emergency services personnel, including firefighting 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.

Jansen sustained bite wounds, bleeding on the brain, facial fractures and multiple wounds to his body. He underwent lengthy surgery at Tygerberg Hospital on Friday 9 October and is reported to be recovering well.

ALSO READ: Teen critical after dog attack on Sir Lowry’s Pass farm

Contrasting accounts

In an interview with DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette prior to his arrest, Van der Westhuizen expressed regret over the incident, describing it as “very unfortunate,” and denied instigating the attack. He claimed he was walking his two young Rottweilers off-leash on the property when the boys started running and the dogs chased them, pinning one boy down before he pulled both dogs off.

Van der Westhuizen said he left the scene only to secure the dogs, not out of disregard, and reached out to the boy’s family, offering to cover ambulance costs for the transfer to Tygerberg Hospital and praying with the boy’s parents before the move.

But later the police said: “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.”

It was initially reported that the incident occurred on the Broadlands Manor property, but community members allege the attack transpired on an adjacent property.

ALSO READ: Arrest after dog attack on Sir Lowry’s Pass teenager

Court proceedings

Van der Westhuizen made his first appearance at Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 13 October, where the matter was set down for a formal bail application the following day. When the case resumed on Wednesday 14 October, community members staged a peaceful protest outside the court in Caledon Street, holding placards and chanting against bail. The bail hearing was postponed to Friday 16 October, and again to Wednesday 21 October.

According to a Sir Lowry’s Pass community activist, a petition bearing 1 200 signatures was handed in and accepted by the court during Van der Westhuizen’s appearance. “[We are] very pleased, because it means his bail application is being reconsidered and he won’t simply be released,” the community activist said.

Van der Westhuizen has remained in custody since his arrest on 12 October.

ALSO READ: Broadlands Manor owner in court after dogs maul Sir Lowry’s Pass teen

Ongoing probe

Police are investigating a case of attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the 7 October incident and another alleged dog attack some days prior.