St Francis Bay Beach Parking Lot Brawl Leaves 21-Year-Old With Serious Head Injury

A violent altercation in a beach parking area in St Francis Bay has resulted in two young men being charged after a 21-year-old suffered a severe head injury.

Keno Rossouw (20) and Niklaas Jooste (19) are facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following an alleged attack on Diaan Pienaar (21) during the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The incident reportedly unfolded at around 5am at the main beach parking lot. Police allege that Pienaar was assaulted by a group of men while holidaying in the upmarket coastal town, situated about 100km west of Gqeberha.

Authorities confirmed that both accused were later identified by the complainant and subsequently arrested.

Court Appearance and Bail Details in Humansdorp

The matter was heard at the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday. However, only Jooste appeared in the dock.

Rossouw did not attend proceedings, submitting a medical certificate citing a recent shoulder operation. His legal representative, Henry van Breda, explained that the injury occurred while his client was playing rugby.

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“I cannot discuss the merits of the case,” Van Breda said.

Both accused have previously been granted bail. The case has now been postponed to March 19.

Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy confirmed the charge against the pair.

“The 21-year-old man was assaulted by a group of men at the main beach parking lot in St Francis Bay on January 1 at about 5 am,” McCarthy said.

“Two suspects, namely Niklaas Jooste and Keno Rossouw, were identified by the victim and were arrested and appeared before the Humansdorp Magistrate’s court.”

When asked about the extent of the injuries, McCarthy stated that the complainant sustained a serious head wound.

St Francis Bay Beach Accused Deny Allegations as Motive Questioned

In a sworn affidavit, Rossouw said he learned on January 3 that police were seeking him in connection with the incident.

“I will deal with the merits in more detail during the trial, but I am convinced of my innocence,” his affidavit, seen by IOL, said.

“Though I do not have access to the police docket at this stage, I regard the following as very important as far as this matter is concerned; on January 3, I received a telephone call from a friend of mine who was still in St Francis, advising me that the police were looking for me.”

Rossouw stated he had already returned to Paarl at the time. “We then contacted my attorney from Cape Town who put us in contact with [Van Breda of East London],” he said.

“On the same date, Mr Van Breda contacted [the police investigating officer] who requested that I hand myself over to him on January 5 in order to be arrested.”

He said he travelled to Humansdorp, where he was taken into custody. Rossouw added that he intends to plead not guilty and denied assaulting Pienaar.

He further claimed that CCTV footage would support his version of events and maintained that he has no prior convictions or history of violence.

Rossouw also outlined personal circumstances in his affidavit, including completing matric at Paarl Boys’ High School in 2023.

He stated that his father was in a rehabilitation centre until the end of January and that his mother operates a crèche in Paarl, where he assists with the business and at home. He argued that these responsibilities demonstrate strong family ties and that he is not a flight risk.

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Jooste’s advocate, Adv Mannie Witz, said his client had travelled to St Francis Bay with a group of friends for a holiday.

“I believe he only met the co-accused [Rossouw] while on holiday,” Witz said.

Witz indicated that the state appears to rely on the complainant’s claim that someone in the group asked who was wealthier during the scuffle. However, he said they had heard the dispute centred on a “young woman”.

He added that Jooste did not submit a bail affidavit because the charge does not fall under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The case continues next month.