Three men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting the state’s star witness in the lion-murder case, News24 reported on Monday.
Police confirmed on Sunday that the men were arrested on charges of assault with the intent to inflict serious bodily harm after an attack on Robert Mnisi on Friday.
The assault apparently followed an argument in a pub in Polokwane, Limpopo. Mnisi’s cellphone was also stolen.
He was arrested last year along with three other men, Simon and Richard Mathebula and Mark Scott-Crossley, in connection with the murder of Nelson Chisale, whose remains were found in a lion encampment near Hoedspruit.
Mnisi turned state witness and became a member of the police’s witness-protection programme.
Mnisi had reportedly been frequenting a pub in Ladanna, where nobody knew him.
According to a witness, Mnisi got involved in an argument with a man and his two sons-in-law in the bathroom after he apparently ”snapped” at them.
The men then apparently followed him outside and cornered him in the street, where he was assaulted. The attackers then went home.
Mnisi apparently called the police. The witness said Mnisi’s identity was only then revealed.
The police did not find the three men on the premises and then arrested their wives, who were still in the pub.
Police later arrested the three men at their home. The women were released.
The three men were being held in custody and are expected to appear in court on Monday or Tuesday, police said.
Police have confirmed that Mnisi was admitted to a hospital for treatment. – Sapa