Cousins attacked with wine bottle during New Year’s Day soccer dispute

A grade ten boy who was born with hyperthyroidism is lucky to be alive after he and his 17-year-old cousin were attacked with a wine bottle during an altercation over a soccer match. The teen, Zaid Hendricks, a learner at Crystal Senior Secondary, is currently being treated at Groote Schuur Hospital.

Zaid’s mother, Nuraan Hendricks, said her son, 16, was born with hyperthyroidism and is now in a critical condition in hospital after he and his cousin, Nathier Hendricks were attacked in Halman’s Walk in Hanover Park on New Year’s Day. She explained that doctors were monitoring Zaid’s condition to prevent swelling and had considered surgery. The family has since opened a case with the police.

Neighbours accused of being part of the attack had their home vandalised following the incident. Hendricks said an afternoon of soccer became a nightmare when an altercation began between the neighbours and her family when a champagne glass was left broken by the ball. “They were playing soccer,” she said.

“Neighbours were drinking. One of the boys mistakenly kicked the glass. An off-duty police officer and relatives and friends complained and said the boys had attitude. I said I can buy another champagne glass. They said, “You need to fix this child's attitude.” The policewoman took the child’s ball. There was a misunderstanding."

Hendricks said the next moment, she heard her son and his cousin had been attacked with a wine bottle. “I did not see him (the attacker) throwing a glass bottle on my son's head. I was barefoot and just ran. I got in the car with him and his cousin. We had to go to Heideveld Hospital. He threw up and we were hysterical in the car.

"The cousin was also stabbed in the back with a bottle.”

Hendricks added that her son was rushed to Groote Schuur Hospital where doctors determined that he had suffered an injury to his skull and that the neighbour's home was vandalised following the incident: “My son is now in neurology. He threw my child so hard with that bottle. Skull fractured. A piece punctured into the brain, a blood clot. They wanted to take him for surgery. I always keep him inside due to his condition, but it was school holidays and his cousins were visiting. The people who did it were attacked and their home were stoned. After we left for the hospital, this attack happened to them.

“He has to wait for the swelling to go down before he can attend school."

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a case had been opened following the incident.

It is understood that a counter case for the damaged property was also opened by residents but this could not be confirmed.

"The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and arrests are yet to be made. The investigation continues," said Twigg.

Dr Keith Cloete, Head of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, said they were experiencing significant pressure across hospitals and emergency centres: “We appeal to members of the public to only present to the emergency centre with emergencies and to expect a long wait.”

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