Staff Reporter
THE SA Special Forces and SA Special Forces Association (SASFA) have officially distanced themselves from Lüderitz pharmacist Erasmus “Poenie” van Zyl, who is accused of assaulting his wife, Elizabeth Potgieter.
It is alleged that van Zyl, who prides himself as a former Recce and Koevoet soldier, was arrested on Tuesday and is facing a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“We hereby confirm and declare that Erasmus Johannes Hendrik (Poenie) van Zyl has never been an SA Special Forces operator. He is not part of the SA Special Forces and is not associated with the SA Special Forces. He has spread various other lies about being para-qualified and wears false insignia (wings) on a ceremonial jacket,” the SA Special Forces Association wrote on their official social media page.
PICTURED: Some images shared on social media of the damage van Zyl inflicted on his wife. 
PICTURED: Some images shared on social media of the damage van Zyl inflicted on his wife. 
PICTURED: Some images shared on social media of the damage van Zyl inflicted on his wife. 
PICTURED: Some images shared on social media of the damage van Zyl inflicted on his wife.
It is alleged that van Zyl, who owns Reich Pharmacy in Lüderitz, was denied bail on Tuesday, and his case was postponed to 20th September 2023. According to police reports, Potgieter opened a case of abuse against van Zyl on Monday, 11th September, after being granted a protection order against van Zyl last Friday.
Van Zyl’s abuse of his wife was exposed by the victim’s sister, Ria van der Schyiff, who posted multiple pictures of her battered sister with a black eye, surgical scars from past broken bones, and ripped-out hair. It is further alleged that Van Zyl would lock his wife out of the house at times in the cold.
Van der Schyiff wrote, “For two weeks, he kept her at home after breaking her arms. Thereafter, he had the audacity to put her in a taxi to Windhoek to see a specialist… Maybe jail is the best place for him; then he can also feel how my sister feels, like a prisoner in that house of horrors.”
