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Sharlene Rood, News24
Southern African Auto Supplies confirmed it has suspended managing director Lance O’Leary after he was shown on video attacking motorist Christopher Price (71) in an apparent act of road rage.
Price has opened a case of assault following the August 30 incident on London Road, Johannesburg.
The video shows O’Leary kicking and hitting a Range Rover, destroying one of the vehicle's mirrors and damaging the rear wipers.
O'Leary was also caught on camera shoving Price’s passenger Donovan Thomson, who has filed his own case of assault against O’Leary.
He went ballistic - Price
Price’s son Hadleigh told News24 his father and O’Leary drove into one another after an altercation at an intersection in which Price cut O’Leary off.
"Two lanes were going into one and my dad had right of way," Hadleigh told News24.
In the Price family’s version, O’Leary "went ballistic” when the motorists pulled over at the closest garage to swap details.
O'Leary disputed this version of events in a statement issued through a communications firm.
He told News24 that Price forced him off the road and intentionally drove into his stationary vehicle, causing damages of R100 000.
"He fled the scene of the accident," said O'Leary. "I was forced to chase after him.”
Not trying to justify my actions - O'Leary
"I am in no way trying to justify or sanction my actions – merely provide a context to the circumstances that lead to the event in question. I have never reacted like this before and it’s not typical behaviour," O'Leary said.
Hadleigh Price says when he arrived at the scene his father was in a state of shock.
"I can’t believe it. To intimidate an old man; that’s not right."
"He wanted my dad out of the car. I swear to God my father would be eating out of a straw, by the look of rage on that guy," Hadleigh said.
Death threats received
O’Leary says he's been receiving death threats after his phone number, email address and personal details were shared on social media.
O’Leary says he has opened perjury, defeating the ends of justice and incitement to public violence charges against Price.
The video was uploaded to Facebook by Intelligence Bureau SA.
