Butcher manager placed on leave after teenager drinks oven acid in prank incident

IOL News

14-05-2025

Mitchell's Moslem Butchery in Woodlands, Mitchell's Plain.
Image: Supplied
Police are investigating attempted murder after a 17-year-old was allegedly pranked into drinking a liquid from a cool drink bottle which contained acid.
The victim, who left school to assist his single mother, was employed at Mitchell's Moslem Butchery in Woodlands, and was apparently set to get a promotion.
According to reports, the victim allegedly drank oven acid from the Sprite bottle thinking it was cooldrink, however, spat it out.
The medication he took after allegedly resulted in internal bleeding and the victim was admitted to Groote Schuur hospital.
The victim was on life support in the ICU, but as recently gone off critical status.
Police spokesperson, Anelisiwe Manyana, said Lentegeur police are investigating an attempted murder case.
'It is alleged that the 17-year-old victim was pranked into drinking a liquid from a cool drink bottle which contained acid.
"He got cramps and vomited where after he was admitted to a medical facility to receive medical treatment. The case was reported by a family member the next day,' said Manyana.
"Subsequently the butchery was closed pending further investigation. No arrest has been made.'
Lentegeur Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson, Michael Jacobs, said they have spoken to the station commander and said CCTV footage would need to be viewed and statements of employees need to be taken.
The butchery's management were advised not to give a comment yet to protect the dignity of the staff member and his family.
National Coloured Congress (NCC) member and community leader, Shahiem van Nelson, said a meeting was held on Monday opposite the butcher to calm residents after they expressed their anger.
'We calmed the community down because the building had nothing to do with what transpired there.
"Mitchell's Butchery has been long in the community; they have been serving this community for very long,' Van Nelson said.
'We also have community members that are working there and if anything should happen to the butcher itself our people will be sitting without work.'
He added that allegations that have been spiralling on social media saying that the manager is on the run are not true, but rather that they were asked to take leave and not to come to the butcher until the case has been resolved.
"We as a community made a collection for the mother and father to travel everyday to hospital and we really have to thank the community," Van Nelson said.
Cape Argus