CAPE TOWN - A Mowbray man says he still suffers the trauma of being brutally assaulted by owners of a lighting business and is yet to be re-employed after losing his job as a result of the attack.
Rashaad Carlsen said he was traumatised by the “brutal incident” in October last year where he and a friend were allegedly assaulted in a case of mistaken identity.
“I was working from home and decided I want to go to the shop around the corner. While walking to the shop, (my friend) got me along the way and asked me to accompany him to exchange a light which he had purchased online. He was told by Photronic (a lighting company) that he may exchange it for a bigger light,” said Carlsen.
This apparently set off a series of events in which the pair were allegedly cornered inside the shop by a number of employees, “just after placing the incorrect light down on the counter”.
According to Carlsen, he proceeded into the shop while his friend smoked outside.
“As I put the light down, eight guys surrounded me and immediately started assaulting me. The only question asked was ‘who is Andre?’.
Regardless of how many times I said I do not know who ‘Andre’ is, they repeatedly hit, kicked and choked me. After me repeatedly informing them that I had just come as a tag along and that my friend who bought the light is outside, they continued to hit me in the face, back of my head, kicking me in the stomach and back.
“After still repeatedly telling them I’m unaware of what was happening or the situation, I was hit with a chain across my back … My friend came inside quickly after hearing the commotion and they started assaulting him,” Carlsen said.
The alleged attackers then bundled Carlsen and his friend in a vehicle and had them transported to Ravensmead SAPS to lay a case against the two men after the business owners allegedly assumed they were online scammers who had stolen lights.
According to Carlsen, when the business owners realised that they had attacked the wrong people, they were offered an apology. The pair then proceeded to file a criminal charge against the business owners.
As a result, Carlsen said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder anxiety and depression and had lost his job due to injuries sustained during the attack which exhausted his sick leave.
Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala, said: “Three suspects between the ages of 30 and 31 were arrested and charged with common assault. (The) case is still in court.”
Attorney for the business owners, Werner Boucher said: “The matter is before court and the parties have not pleaded yet so you are not allowed to mention their names or place of employment in your article. We have nothing further to comment at this stage.”
Cape Times