Bunt man recovering at home
Less than two months after being set alight, Garth du Preez (22) is recovering at home.
On June 21, Garth was stopped at the intersection of Main Reef and Commando roads while metro officers allowed a funeral procession to pass.
As he stopped at the intersection, a 29-year-old man threw a brick through his window and poured a flammable liquid over Garth before setting him alight.
At the time of the incident, the accused was out on bail after smashing another motorist’s window.
Garths says that after he was set alight, he kept thinking that he needed to get out of the car.
“After I managed to get out of the car I ran to the island and took off my jersey and shirt, trying to put the fire out,” he says.
He adds that he ran to one of the metro officers showing them what had happened.
According to him the accused was “dancing around the car” while it was burning.
Garth spent about six weeks in the Milpark Hospital, of which three weeks he was under sedation.
During his time in the hospital he underwent skin graphs to his right hand and chest.
“I am healing really well and I am almost able to wear a special glove, on my right hand, which will protect it and help it heal,” he says.
Garth will still have to go back to the hospital for regular check-ups.
While in hospital Garth’s girlfriend Schantell van Jaarsveld, visited him everyday.
“Now that I am home she helps a lot and even brings me breakfast in bed.”
The police have requested that Garth identify the accused in a line-up before testifying in court.
The accused has been charged with malicious damage to property and attempted murder.
