Springbok player Eben Etzebeth will not be prosecuted for alleged assault but Langebaan residents say he still owes them an apology.
Residents have expressed disappointment at the decision by acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Advocate Nicolette Bell not to prosecute the rugby player and his cousin Emile Etzebeth.
Nearly two years ago charges were laid against Etzebeth and Emile, 32, after they were accused of assault and racial slurs in a 2019 incident outside a club in Langebaan.
Two locals claimed they were assaulted by Eben and Emile but Western Cape spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila, said after a protracted investigation, the two counts of assault were preferred against Emile.
“The evaluation revealed that one of the independent witnesses could not identify the assailant who assaulted the two complainants, whilst the initial identification made by the second witness could not, following the consultation, be relied upon to sustain a prosecution,” Ntabazalila said.
Advocate Bell stated: “In considering the onus, I am of the view there are no prospects of a successful prosecution.
“I therefore decline to prosecute Emile Etzebeth and Eben Etzebeth.”
A Langebaan resident, who did not want to be named, said he was very upset when he found out that the cousins got off the hook, reports IOL.
“Eben Etzebeth is a high-profile person and it's as if the locals mean nothing to our judicial system.
“They deserve justice too. A day after the incident, police were saying there is no case.
“At the time they had not even taken any statements from eyewitnesses,” the Langebaan resident said.
“The outcome of this case was decided from day one before any investigations were done.”
He added that the Langebaan community would have appreciated it if the victims had received an apology from Etzebeth, whom many admired.
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