Klerksdorp parking lot assault: Father has bleeding on brain, fighting for his life in hospital

• Hilton Pretorius, 32, suffered severe brain injuries after Wernich Botha purportedly viciously assaulted him and PW Roos.
• A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to cover Pretorius’ medical and legal costs.
• Botha was arrested and appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court, where he was released on bail.

One of the men severely beaten up outside a Klerksdorp shopping centre is fighting for his life in hospital.

Hilton Pretorius, 32, suffered severe brain injuries after Wernich Botha purportedly viciously assaulted him and another man, PW Roos.

A family friend told News24 that Hilton was on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

“We need to continue praying for him and his family.”

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to assist the Pretorius family.

“Hilton, beloved father, son and brother, is currently fighting for his life in hospital. His skull is cracked, he has bleeding on the brain, and he is being kept under sedation at this time,” the BackaBuddy entry reads. 

“His medical and legal expenses are astronomical. We ask for any help, if possible, to help the family in this regard.”

In a shocking display of public violence, Pretorius and Roos fell to the ground after being punched during the attack, with one bleeding profusely from the head and face.

The horrific incident, which occurred in a shopping centre parking lot in Doringkruin last Sunday, was caught on video footage that was widely shared on social media platforms.

Botha, 33, was arrested and appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

READ | Klerksdorp parking lot assault: Alleged attacker released on R2 000 bail

He was charged with attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

He was released on R2 000 bail and the matter was postponed to 19 October.

Roos’s lawyer, Andre van Aswegen, previously told News24 that his client may institute a civil claim pending the State’s criminal case.

Roos, who was allegedly hit after he tried to protect Pretorius, was admitted to hospital. He received stitches to the back of his head, suffered a dislocated shoulder, and had bruises and cuts due to the fall, said Van Aswegen.