Groblersdal Farm Attack: Security Guard Survives Alleged Brutal Beating and Dog Mauling

The quaint town of Groblersdal, in the Limpopo province, became the site of a harrowing incident when a 30-year-old security guard named Veneruru Kavari was allegedly assaulted and had dogs set on him by his boss at a farm. Reminiscing about the ordeal, Kavari recounted how he believed he would not make it out alive after being treated "like an animal."

Kavari's employment as a guard at a network tower battery in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga, lasted only a week before the event on January 17. He and another employee faced accusations of drunkenness on duty by their supervisor. Defending himself against these claims, Kavari suggests it was his opposition to the false accusations that led to his manager's violent response at his residence in Groblersdal.

Graphically describing the severity of his assault, Kavari detailed how he was beaten and had dogs set upon him by his manager, Piet Groenewald, and his son, Stephan Groenewald. The aftermath of the incident has left Kavari with sleepless nights, reliant on medication to rest. The psychological scars, as evident from his account, are as debilitating as the physical injuries endured.

The police response to this incident escalated as the initial charge against the Groenewalds of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was modified to attempted murder, indicating the severity of the attack. Cpt Malesela Ledwaba, a Limpopo police spokesperson, confirmed this shift in charges. This legal adjustment was followed by a controversial court appearance where the Groenewalds' supporters displayed the old South African flag, creating a tense and racially charged atmosphere.

During his harrowing recount, Kavari also shared a chilling 12-second video that he had managed to capture during the attack. This video, which he later shared with the Sowetan, depicts a man wielding a stick and releasing a dog to attack him. This piece of evidence brings to light not only the violence suffered but also the fear and desperation of the moment.

Despite his appeals for medical assistance, Kavari claims that Piet Groenewald instead administered an injection without consent and refused to transport him to a hospital. It wasn't until his brother, Veiwasane Nguende, was contacted and in turn notified the police and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a South African political party, that Kavari received the urgent care he needed. His rescue from the farm came hours later, almost at midnight, after a prolonged struggle involving multiple stakeholders.

Adding to the fraught narrative, the Groenewalds subsequently pressed a charge of malicious damage to property against Kavari, which resulted in his brief detention. He was released after a weekend in custody without formal charges being filed against him.

This case has not only challenged the local law enforcement's responsiveness to calls for help but also beckoned wider societal scrutiny concerning employer-employee dynamics, race relations, and the significance of symbols such as the old South African flag in post-apartheid South Africa.

The Groenewalds are scheduled for a bail application while Kavari continues to recover from an episode of violence that has not only impacted him physically and psychologically but has also sent ripples through the community of Groblersdal and beyond.