Farmer gets bail after killing teen
2011-10-21 11:12
Polokwane - The Groblersdal Magistrate's Court granted a Limpopo farmer bail after he allegedly shot a teenager dead and wounded another for fishing on his farm, police said on Friday.
"He appeared in court yesterday [Thursday] and was released on R5 000 bail," Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto said.
The 57-year-old farmer was arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder after he allegedly fired shots at a group of boys fishing on a dam on his farm on Tuesday.
"The boys tried to run away after spotting him, but it is alleged that the farmer then fired shots at them with his shotgun," Otto said.
One of the boys, a 14-year-old, was hit on the head and a 17-year-old was wounded on the left hand.
Two other children escaped unharmed.
The farmer took the wounded teenagers to hospital where the 14-year-old was certified dead. The other boy was treated and discharged.
Precedent
Limpopo agriculture MEC Dipuo Letsatsi Duba condemned the bail.
"Although everyone has a right to a fair hearing, where it is clear as the sun that somebody has ... shot and killed the other, especially a poor little child, it should be condemned," she said.
"I believe bail should have been denied so that we set a precedent."
The department had sent messages of condolence to the family of the boys.
"We will definitely monitor the court case and believe the harshest sentence should be meted [out]," Duba said.
Otto said the man would appear in the Groblersdal Magistrate's Court again on December 12.
- SAPA
