Butchery manager out on bail, told to stay away from Woodlands, Mitchells Plain

The butchery manager charged with attempted murder for allegedly poisoning a 17-year-old boy is out on R1 000 bail but the court ordered that he must stay away from Woodlands, Mitchells Plain for now.

Nuruddin Tembe, 53, made his first brief appearance at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates Court on Thursday. The court heard that management of the Mitchell’s Moslem Butchery was willing to take the accused back at work.

Tembe’s legal representative attorney Asghar Mia said: “What has happened since (Sunday) is that there has been various protests, threats and even threats of burning and looting at the place of business where this incident happened.”

“Based on that, for the safety and security of the accused and other staff members, the employer is willing to take back the accused, but we will first let the court finalise whether he is allowed to go back.”

Mia said he and his client are "willing to work with SAPS to try and get the matter resolved".

The court granted Tembe bail of R1 000. His bail conditions include that he must stay away from Woodlands; however, should tensions in the community die down, another application can be brought to the court to allow the accused to enter the area and return to work.

The 17-year-old, who left school to assist his single mother make ends meet, was allegedly pranked into drinking oven acid from a Sprite bottle allegedly by Tembe. 

The teenager was put on life support, having been admitted to Groote Schuur hospital. 

Angry residents outside the court said they were disappointed that the accused was released on bail.

The case was postponed to August 12 for further investigation.

Cape Times