Media house opens attempted murder case against employee

Independent Media has opened a case of attempted murder against one of its employees after he allegedly "viciously assaulted" a colleague, The Star reported on Tuesday.

"We still don't know what sparked this outburst, but that's irrelevant at this stage. Nothing can condone this kind of appalling behaviour," Independent Media chief of staff Zenariah Barends was quoted as saying.

"There is no place in our company for that kind of behaviour. It is unconscionable and unacceptable."

The newspaper reported that Damian Warner was in a critical condition at Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital after the incident on Friday night.

It is alleged that Warner was "knocked over" in the parkade next to its building before his attacker got out of the car and fled.

The newspaper did not make it clear if Warner was physically beaten or whether he was hit by a car.

He sustained broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, wrist and foot, a punctured lung, and a compound fracture on his spine.

Independent Media on Monday opened a case of attempted murder with police and began internal disciplinary proceedings against the employee.

Barends declined to comment to Sapa.

"All my comments are contained in the statement in the paper, I have nothing more to say."

Provincial police spokeswoman Augustinah Selepe said she would check if a case had been opened.

Source : Sapa /mar/jk/jje