Oudtshoorn paintball attack sparks outrage, accused remain behind bars

Anger is growing in Oudtshoorn after a viral video showed three minors being assaulted and shot with a paintball gun over the weekend.

Two suspects, a 75-year-old and a 52-year-old, were arrested and appeared in court on Monday; a third suspect was arrested at court.

Community safety advocate Leon Campher says the incident has left the community seething, but adds that those who are supporting the suspects are focusing on the wrong issue.

"All of them want to know what the children did wrong. I'm not interested."

Campher says if the children had been misbehaving or committing a crime, they should have been dealt with appropriately.

"The law can deal with them. They [the suspects] are not supposed to attack these children," he says.

A video of the incident began circulating on Friday. Campher says he contacted the local police to open a case.

"I contacted the lady who made the video and asked her to go to the police and make a case."

Some supporters of the suspects claim the children had been seen throwing stones from a bridge, but Campher disputes this.

"There is no bridge near that place. Then there's a story that there was a knife and they tried to attack a shop owner. There's no proof because there are no charges."

Campher admits that there are challenges surrounding unruly children and young people in the area.

"Children are hanging out in town doing naughty things. This morning I've got a meeting with child welfare to see what we can do about children going into town in the day."

But he is also clear about one thing: the youngsters assaulted last week were not so-called 'street children'.

"The moment you call them 'street children', then it's red flags to everyone because [the perception is] they are troublemakers. These children are not street children."

The suspects remain in custody ahead of a bail hearing later this month.

To listen to Campher, use the audio player below: