Petrol pump attendant asks bikers not to smoke by pumps, get attacked

Mpumalanga police are investigating the assault of a petrol station attendant, allegedly by a group of bikers in Witbank.

"We are investigating the incident and following leads and we are positive that we will make arrests soon," Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said on Wednesday.

According to surveillance footage handed to police, Mohlala said it was evident that a group of men attacked the attendant.

However, Dries Marx, owner of the Engen petrol station, told Sapa on Wednesday that two bikers became agitated when the attendant told them not to smoke at a petrol pump in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The bikers then called their friends and about another eight bikers arrived. The attendant went into the petrol station's shop, but three of the bikers followed and allegedly started attacking him.

Marx said some of the bikers tried to stop the fight. The attendant was taken for medical attention. Marx said he had recovered and was back at work.

"We have opened a case of assault and malicious damage to property and we are hopeful that police will take action."