‘I was treated like an animal’ – Security guard relives dog attack nightmare

A man who was allegedly assaulted and had dogs set on him by his boss at his farm in Groblersdal, Limpopo, says he was treated like an animal and did not think he would get out alive.

Veneruru Kavari, 30, said he was only employed as a security guard at a network tower battery in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga, for seven days when the incident took place on January 17.

Kavari said his supervisor accused him and another employee of being drunk while on duty and believes he was driven to his manager’s house in Groblersdal because he spoke up for himself.

He said he was beaten up by the manager, Piet Groenewald, 63, and his son Stephan Groenewald, 27.

“I can’t even sleep at night. What happened to me is unforgettable and now I even use medication to sleep. It was just a painful experience,” Kavari told Sowetan on Thursday.

“I was treated like an animal. I mean, what kind of a person unleashes dogs on another human being? Even animals were treated better than I was that day.”

The Goenewalds were arrested last Thursday following the incident and were initially charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

However, Limpopo police spokesperson, Cpt Malesela Ledwaba, said the charge had been changed to attempted murder.

The duo appeared in the Groblersdal magistrate’s court on Wednesday with a group of their supporters carrying the old South African flag, marching and forcing their entry into the courtyard.

Their case was postponed to January 31 for a formal bail application.

Kavari, a father of two, on Thursday relived his ordeal, saying he was lucky to be alive.

He said his supervisor accused him and his colleague of drinking but when he denied it, he was told to pack his bags and was driven to Groblersdal.

“I told them we never drank on duty and I didn’t see anyone drinking and they asked me and another colleague to pack our belongings.

“I said he [the boss] can do tests and he would see that I was not drinking on duty and he accused me of giving him instructions on what he should do to me. His son started pushing me and then the manager asked his son to unleash his dogs.

“There were two dogs. They unleashed one and held the other one back. He [Piet] also hit me with a hard object over my entire body,” he said.

Kavari took a short video on his phone describing what was happening to him and where he was.

The video shows a man holding a stick, walking towards him while another one is unleashing a dog on him. 

In the 12-second video, which Kavari has shared with Sowetan, he said: “They beat me. If anything happens to me, I am here at the colonel’s place. You see what he’s carrying... You see this one...” the video ends with a man seen unleashing the dog to attack him. 

Kavari said after the beating and attack by the dog, he pleaded to be taken to a hospital but Piet allegedly administered an injection in his buttocks, which he claimed would ensure “I did not get an infection from the dog bites”.

“I initially didn’t want to be injected but I just gave in because I was scared of getting more beatings.

“I asked him to take me to the hospital but he said he would stitch me himself, which he did not do. I contacted my brother to assist me because I couldn’t leave the farm and my brother contacted the police and later the EFF. My brother tried everything to ensure I got to the hospital.

“When my brother called the police, the police called [Piet] and then he came to me and threatened me,” said Kavari.

Kavari said he was at the boss’ farm from noon until midnight when he was assisted by his brother and members of the EFF who forced the cops to take action.

“My life was in danger. I was scared and didn’t know if I was going to get help.”

Kavari said after the Groenewalds were arrested, Piet laid a counter charge of malicious damage to property against him. 

Kavari was arrested last Friday and was held at a police station in Mpumalanga for the weekend and was released on Monday without being formally charged. 

Kavari’s brother, Veiwasane Nguende, said he panicked when he received calls from his brother seeking help.

“I didn’t know what to do, it was very sad. He was crying for help and I was very far, so it was bad. The worst part is that I informed the police and they didn't even act, so I called the EFF.”

chabalalaj@sowetan.co.za