Butchery manager charged with attempted murder granted bail

The butchery manager charged with attempted murder for allegedly poisoning a minor is out on bail of R1 000, but the court ordered that he must stay away from Woodlands, Mitchell's Plain.

Nuruddin Tembe, 53, made his first court appearance in the Mitchell's Plain Magistrate's Court on Thursday, which heard that the management of Mitchell’s Moslem Butchery is willing to take the accused back at work.

Tembe’s legal representative, attorney Asghar Mia, said: “What has happened since [May 11] is that there has been various protests, threats and even threats of burning and looting at the place of business where this incident happened. Based on that, for the safety and security of the accused and other staff members, the employer is willing to take back the accused, but we will first let the court finalise whether he is allowed to go back.”

The court granted Tembe bail and his bail conditions are that he must stay away from Woodlands. 

However, should tensions in the community die down, another application can be brought to the court to allow the accused to enter the area and return to work.

The 17-year-old victim, who left school to assist his single mother make ends meet, was pranked into drinking oven acid from a Sprite bottle, allegedly by Tembe, at the weekend. 

The victim was admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital and was put on life support, but eventually taken off critical status.

Angry residents gathered outside the court yesterday and said they are disappointed that the accused was released on bail.

Mitchell's Plain resident, Raafiqah Ganger, said: “At the end of the day, he is a danger to everybody in the community. And as far as looting [of the butchery] is concerned there was no intention from any community members to loot."

The case was postponed to August 12 for further investigation.

Cape Argus